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RED RIVER SETTLEMENT

RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE:

WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF
THE NATIVE RACES AND ITS GENERAL HISTORY,

TO THE PRESENT DAY.

BY
ALEXANDER ROSS,

AUTHOR OF “ THE FUR-HUNTERS OF THE FAR WEST,” AND
* ADVENTURES ON TIE COLUMBIA RIVER.”

. LONDON :
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL,

ayn ~ 1856.

“

DUNCAN FINLAYSON, Eso,

’

FORMERLY GOVERNOR OF RED RIVER COLONY,

Who, during many years’ administration of its affairs, evinced
unwearied zeal in the development of its resources, and in the
amelioration of the general condition of its inhabitants; who, by
the energy of his rule, and by the wisdom of his policy, established
order and maintained peace; and who, by officially promoting in
the wilderness the benevolent causes, as well of missionary enter-
prise as of general education, besides fostering with the hand of
power the germs of agricultural industry, Jaid a solid basis, not
only for the prosperity of the white man, but also for the
Christian civilization of its aboriginal inhabitants,

THESE PAGES ARE,
WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST REGARD,
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

(8 THE AUTHOR.

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RK fy Cork from Ore |
jeer. fering om (ELS

PREFACE.

Rep River Serruzment, the subject of this volume, is
an isolated spot in the wilds of North America, distant
700 miles from the nearest sea-port, and that port
blockaded by solid ice for ten months inthe year. Onur
history dates from‘the grant of this wilderness to
Lord Selkirk, when it was marked by no human foot-
step but that of the wandering savage or unscrupulous
trader: a land inhabited only by the bear, the wolf, and
the buffalo, where the bleating of sheep and the lowing
of oxen were as unknown as the sound of the church-
going bell and the whirr of the grindstone. The
settlement of a spot thus characterized, presenting a
picture to the imagination of civilized men as gloomy
as the Ultima Thule of the ancients, and affording as
little promise of reward, cannot be an uninteresting
subject to ‘those who love enterprise and honour
endurance.‘ To such, the author submits his unpre-
tending narrative, encouraged by the remembrance that
his endeavours, on more than one previous occasion,
have been amply rewarded by the interest manifested
in his disclosures.

From time to time, casual remarks on the colony of

vi PREFACE.

Red River have made the world in some degree
acquainted with its history; but this kind of information
having generally been put forth in the interest of

individuals or parties, nothing has yet appeared which —

could fairly claim regard as a complete history of the
colony. The author’s object, therefore, has been to

supply this desideratum, more especially to record the .

hardships and privatioss undergone by the first settlers,
and to show, by the results of their efforts, their-con-
stancy in misfortune, and their unremitted industry
under the most discouraging circumstances, how much
may be effected by men thus situated.

Missionary efforts for converting the heathen also
come in for their share of notice in connection with
remarks on Indian character, many fresh phases of
which are exhibited in these pages. It may here be
observed, that Lord Selkirk never intended to rear an
extensive colony of civilized men in Red River, but
rather to form a society of the natives and the Com-
pany’s old servants, together with their half~ breed
descendants. The few emigrants sent opt by him were
intended merely to if-of industry and
agricultural knowledge among these children of nature,
and, in fine, to act as the pioneers in the wilderness,
who might open otherwise inaccessible paths for the
spread of the Gospel.

A colony thus forming itself, by a kind of extem-
porary process, in the face of many opposing interests,
and in the midst of warring elements, may be supposed
to exhibit certain aspects, social or material, on which
great difference of opinion must of necessity exist.

PREFACE. ; vil

These points of interest have hgen a source of con-
tinually recurring difficulty to the writer, who has
guarded himself, as far as possible, by endeavouring to
ground his conclusions, not on opinion, but on facts.
‘After all, he may not have been happy enough to steer
himself clear of the prejudices and interested views of
all the castes and characters, civilized and savage,
noticed in the work; indeed, he never deemed this
possible, He rests his claim on broader and surer
grounds—on having; from a perfect knowledge of men
and things, done justice to allparties, without colouring,
or any attempt at artificial construction or polished
composition. His statements, it is confidently hoped,
will shed a not doubtful light on the past and present
condition of the different ‘races, savage and civilized,

* now inhabiting these lands ; and thus will afford materials;

of the highest importance to the future historian.

The plan of the work will be sufficiently apparent, but
it may here be noticed, that when any distinct or specific
subject is introduced, it is, whenever.convenient, treated.
throughout, from beginning to end, in one place,
though its action may extend over several years; by
this means the necessity of wading through different
years and chapters for parts of the same subject is
generally avoided. Sometimes, indeed, this has not
been possible, and especially when one series of events
is found connected with another; and hence ‘another
general rule—namely, when any year-is commenced,
that all the following incidents are to be regarded as
occurring within the limits of that year, until another is
distinctly mentioned, or an exception is pointed out.

vill PREFACE.

‘The chronological order may thus be a little disturbed,
but the order of the subjects treated of is better pre-
served by this plan. Here, also, it may be noticed,
once for all, that the author makes no pretension to the
scientific treatment of his subject ; his task is the much
humbler one of describing the lot of the poor settler,
and, in a word, the trials and triumphs of industry. :
Finally, cast at an early stage of his career into the
depths of the wilderness, far removed from civilized
society, and doomed for so many years to an almost
exclusive association with the rude and untutored tribes’ -
by whom it is inhabited, and choosing at last, for his
adopted home, this secladed spot, in which, although
it be blessed in some degree with the light of civilization,
everyone must yet be prepared in a great measure to,
resign the intercourse of the literary world, the*wrifer
-is not so presumptuous as to prefer any claim either to
the 6rnaments of diction, or to the embellishments of
imagination. He has, however, had abundant oppor-
tunities of observing savage life. and manners ; and his
long experience in a wild country has enabled him to
correct the almost invariably erroneous nature of first «
impressions, by affording him all the elements of sober
and dispassionate research in the execution of his
plan.

Red River Settlement,
10th June, 1852.

CONTENTS.

4 CHAPTER I.
o PAGE.

* The Hudson’s Bay Company's Charter—Legal opinions on its

' validity—Remarks on the same—Lord Selkirk’s grant—
Observations thereon—Geographical position of Red River
-Colony—Indian Treaty——‘The Saulteaux Indians—Country
described—Conflagrations in the plains—Effect—Cold—
Heat—Wolves—The four opinions—Lord Selkirk’s motives
considered . . . . : . .

CHAPTER Ii.

Emigrants to Red River—Perilous voyage—Reception by the
employées of the North-west Company—Critical position
—Contract—Trip to Pembina—Comparison—Half-breeds
~-Winter quarters—Wheat sown—Returns—Blackbirds— -
Pigeons——Pembina— Plot~— Provisions— Plans defeated —
Proclamation —Result— Churchill — Gun-locks — Cruelty
—New emigrants—Join the North-West-—Proposals—
Emigrants abandon the North-West— Skirmishing— A
man shot—Houses burnt—Emigrants in exile—Recalled—
Last brigade arrive—The four conditions—Scotch minister
—Conditions—Marriages—Baptisms—Mr. Sutherland . 20

CHAPTER III. “

The Scotch emigrants—Gloomy prospects—Privations—llos-
tile feuds—North-West intrigues—Manceuvring—Hard-
ships of the emigrants— Starving adventures — Bright

" prospects—Sudden change—Prospects blighted—Hopeless
condition——Hudson’s Bay Company—Civil war—Bloodshed
—Trying scenes—Colony destroyed by the North-West—
Flotilla—Emigrants in exile—Parting admonition—Mr.
Grant's heroic conduct—Bold front—FPillaging parties—
Incidents—The first shot—Fatal result—Short triumph—
Scenes changed—Events—Reprisals—North-West down-

fall—The de Meuron regiment 32

x v CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.
PAGE.

Emigrants recalled from banishment—The colony re-esta-
blished—The free grant—Church and school lots—Sites
described—Deceds promised—Scotch and their minister—
Lord Selkirk’s departure— Seed— Returns— Pembina—
Winter adventures—Cold—Severe trials—Camp hospi-
talities—The Scotech—Mr. Sutherland—Pleasing prospects
soon blighted —Grasshoppers—French emigrants—Pembina
again — Grasshoppers — Total ruin—The Scotch turn
hunters—Last thought the best—-Prairie de Chien adven-
ture —Wheat—-Communication from Red River to St.
Peter's—Party arrive—IJlope revived . . .

CHAPTER V.

Scotch minister—Fruitless attempts — Conjectures — The
reproof—-Strange things happen—The disappointment—
_~ Mr. West—-Missionary efforts—The disputed point—Coali-
~ tion—Uappy results—Indian quarrels—Grasshoppers take
flight—Swiss emigrants—Watchmakers— Pastry-cooks—
Handsome young women—Hunger—Pembina—Beggars no
choosers —- The Swiss discouraged — Comparison — High
notions in*high life—Starvation—The silver watch—Gold
eyes--The snuff-box—The cat-fish—Hard bargain—Sum-
ming up—Perseverance of the settlers—Bourke's sufferings
—Remarks . . . . . :

CILAPTER VI.

Colony store—Lord Selkirk—Governor McDonell—Oficials,
their doings—Things that ought not to be—Drunkeu
squabbles—The hour-glass—A new method of keeping
accounts—The grains of wheat—The paper-box in the
corner——The hubbub—The mélée—Partiality — Credit
system—Colony work—Trickery—Confusion—Mr. Halkett
—~Grievances redressed—The guinea—The lost keys—The
discovery—The papers—The revenge—General remarks—
Buffalo Wool Company — High expectations— Gloom
result—Intemperance——Mismanagement—The yard of clot
—Bankérs rewarded—Remarks . . . 68

CHAPTER VIL

- Supply of domestic cattle—Change of system—The lucky hit
~~Profitable speculation—Reciprocal advantage—Mr. West's
return—Mr, Ialkett's reply to the Scotch settlers—The
disappointment—Conjectures—Remarks—Pembina quarter

CONTENTS. ~ oxi

PAGE,
abandoned—People return—-Governor Bulger—Hay-field’
farm—Mr. Laidlow—The dead loss—Spirit of the times—
Causes of failures—Farming progress—Returns—Canadian
voyageurs—The people reassemble—Census—Novelty—
Mongrel squatters—Harmony—Scene changed— People
divided . . . . . 73
CHAPTER VU.

Second importation of cattle—-Enlivening scenes—Encou-
raging progress—The_ unscrupulous visitofs—Feathered
heads—Fishing and hunting occupations—The ways and
doings of Baptiste L’Esprit—Summer adventures— inter
trip to the plains—The industrious rib—People calling
themselves Christians— Assiniboine trip—New scenes—
Pipe habits—Tobacco ang tea—Flammond and his family
—The happy couple— people’s mode of life—Tea-
drinking in Red River—Tea-drinking in Koondoz—The
Uzbeks—The delicious compound—The mice . . 82

CHAPTER IX.

Hunters and their habits — Rumours — Visit Pembina —
Reports confirmed—-Steps taken—Hudson’s Bay Company
—Sympathy—The fatal snow-storm—Train of disasters—
Woman and child—Human misery—Lives lost—Cling to
old habits-- Hunters relieved-— Colonists in distress —
Gloomy scenes—Sudden rise in the water—Settlers aban-
don their houses—The river becomes a lake—Property
adrift—Floating spectacle—W aterfall—Prices rise—Settlers
return—Colloquies—Discouraging scenes—The man and
his two oxen—Honest fellows—Precarious times—Cattle

, diminish—De Meurons—Cause of the high water— The

uestion answered—More floods than one—Features—
dications—Shores of Hudson's Bay—Phenomenon . 98

CHAPTER X.

Swiss and De Meurons emigrate—The Scotch at work again
—-Discouraging circumstances—Result of perseverance—
' Ups and downs—Red River climate—Late sowing—New
houses—Confidence restored—Orkney men in Red River
—Agriculture—The month of May—The seed season—
Comparison —~ Fall ploughing —Fall sowing—Runnet—
Defective spot—Ruinous system—Comfort disregarded—
Red River malaria—Ong ploughing enough—Experiments—
Fall ploughing recommended—Clover seed—Cold—New
“ aad

Xi CONTENTS.

PAGE.

feature -— Governor Simpson’s views —Encouragements
versus discouragements— Flour—Butter—Produce con-
demned—The Company's policy-——Hints disregarded—The
Governor's table— The difficult question — Who is to
blame ? . . . : .

CHAPTER XL

A new experiment—Unsettled state of things—The farmer at
a stand—Fixing the price—The governing principle—The
market—-The Company's wheat—The mixture The
farrago—The flour—The millers—Saddle on the wrong
horse—The ice-barn farmers—An example—Visit to an
old friend—-The establishment in confusion—The barn—
The stable with many doors—The corn-yard and the pi
—Fiddling the time away—aAnecdote—The father and his
sons—Yhe old man in earnest—Scotch settlers and their

. 108

minister—The comparisons—The Scotch and their petitions .

—Public meeting—Petition again—Counter petition—The
result—Mr. Jones and the Scotch settlers—The Liturgy
laid aside—The parson’s popularity—-Kate and her keg of
butter—General remarks—School system revised—Remarks
thereon—Doing good to others—The Scotch in Red River
—Social relations—Fashion—Dress—The good example

CHAPTER X71.

Governor Simpson—Second experimental farm—Experimen-
tal farms in general—The establishment—Ample means—
The fur trade farmer—Mongrel servants—Experience dis-
regarded—The sheep speculation—Great projects—Small]
results—The wolves rejoicing—The humbug—The flax and
hemp project—The premiums—The farmers in motion—
Strange policy—The Governor's disappointment—The trick
~The favourites—The little monopoly—The buildings—
Fort Garry—Episcopalians versus Presbyterians—General
remarks—-The Scotch in Red River .

CHAPTER XIUI.

The windmill—Its history—Red River windmills—The water-
mill—-The dam operations—Keg of rum—The contented
master—-Men at work—Result—New sheep speculation—
Governor Simpson—Contractors~Broils—Going the wrong
way to work-—Paying for one's folly--The deadly grass—
The effect—Marking the road to St. Peter’s—The vote of
thanks indoors—Murmuring out-doors—Result—Tallow

trade—Object——-The wolves—Winding up—General remarks-

—Winter road—The object—Result

. 119

. 133

144

CONTENTS. xii

CILAPTER XIV. .

- PAGE.
The petty trader—Change of men and change of measures—
The rich and the poor—-The shopping confusion—Steer a
middle course—Company’s tarifi—Great promisers small
performers—A petty trader behind his counter—Competi-
tion—Hints—The fur trade—~Remarks—- Indians— The
awkward Cree question—Useful hints—Alarm—Patrols—
The Saulteaux in Red River—Guns pointed—Mr. Simpson
—General remarks—Sioux visits~W annatah— Half-breeds
—Physical demonstrations—Demagogues at work—Ma-

neuvring—First-rank men—Results . . . 155

CHAPTER XV.

Political ct of things—-Colony changes masters— The
costly child—Value of the colony—A step-mother’s care—
The political miracle—The Company's liberality —An over-
ruling power—The mystery—Ground-work of law and
order—Prefatory address—Constitution of first council—
Law enactments—Their tendency—Presbyterians and their
minister—The parson’s justification—The Rev. Mr. Cock-
ran—The Presbyterians renew their application— Mr.
Governor Christie’s policy—-The English missionaries—
Remarks—Change of opinions—More of form than reality
Emigration—The cause—The coincidence—Things as they
are—Ariosto and his tempest, a type of parties in Red
River . . : - . . . 170

CHAPTER XVI.

First petty jury—The flogger flogred—Summer froste—
Crops destroyed—Chain of cross purposes—Preamble—The
three imposing months—The stranger—Mosquitoes—Bull-
dogs—The black fly—The ramble—Canadians and half-
breeds—Their mode of life—The man of consequence—
Gossiping parties—Amusements—The effects of habit—
Children in their infancy—Votaries of pleasure—Wood-
rafters—Squatters—Result—Scene changed—-Europeans—
Visit the Indians—Fish on dry land—Tea-drinking in thé
wilderness—Indians and the aurora borealis—Superstition
~The Scotch in Red River—Domestic comforts—New
habits—The Sabbath-day—The agreeable mistake . . 186

CHAPTER XVII.

Another experimental farm—Remarks—Views of the people
at home—Comparisons—The half-pay officer—Great pro-

XIV CONTENTS.

AGE.
mises—Small performances— The first experitnent—-Ther
grand operations—Stock—How far for the benefit of Red
River—Quality of the hands—The hay party—Captain
Cary—Result of the undertaking—Anecdote—The proposi-
tion—British Government—Civilization—The Scotch and
their minister—The two zealots—Viewing things through a
false medium—Mr. Cockran—Observations—Change of
system—New laws—Judge Thom in Red River—Opinions
of the people—Mr. Simpson, of the Arctic expedition—
Subject continued—-His death~-North American half- :
breeds—Remarks—Subject concluded . . - 211

CHAPTER XVII.

Half-breeds in Red River—Parents and children—Company’s
policy—Relative position of the Company and half-breeds
~—Steps against interlopers—The French half-breeds change
—The cause—The English half-breeds join them—Influence
of Papineau’s rebellion—Mob-meeting—Half- breedsdemand

\. an export trade—Governor Simpson's reply—Foreigners at
the buffalo-hunts—Influence of buffalo-hunting on the
colonists—-The outfit and start-—Pembina camp—Number
of carts~Dogs—Anecdote—Camp regulations—Honesty of
the half-breeds—Officials—Council—Stroll in the cam
Two sides to the picture—First sight of the battle-field—
The half-breeds in their glory—Sky darkened—Casualties
~—Fruits of the chase—Comparison—The risks—The duties
—Vallé and the Sioux—Speedy revenge—Pleasures of the
chase—Question and answer—Chamois hunter—The mélée
~—Perplexing scene-—Remarks—The conflict—The waste--
Camp raised again—Descent to the Missouri—Tariff—
Uncertain travelling—The Sioux chief—Indian telegraphs
—The fatal storm—The battle—Loss of life—Sioux warriors
—~Reflections—Expedition arrives—Effect— Provisions—
Result of expedition = x. . . : . 234

CHAPTER XIX.

First steps to civilization—Habits change—Influence of the
Scotch emigrants—Gospel planted in Rupert’s Land— -
Mr. West—Bishop's visit—Mr. Cockran and the Swampies
~—Indian settlement~ The parson’s mistake— Rules for
missionary enterprise—Mr. Cockran takes leave of the
Swampies—Thefr character——The Roman Catholic mission
of St. Paul—Rev. Mr. Belcourt—Wabassimong mission—°

Wesleyan mission—Religious opposition—Baie des Canards
mission—Partridge Crop mission—Protestants versus Catho-

CONTENTS. XV

. PAGE
lics— Sagacious thief—False impressions of Red River
abroad—Churches and missionaries— Liberality of the
Hudson’s Bay Company. . . . - 275

CHAPTER XX.

New missionary system—Introductory remarks—The text
—WNeglect of the heathen in Red River~The general prin-
ciple—Three important conditions—Missionary difficulties
—The first stage of progress—Staff of labourers—Governor
Kempt's observations—The boon—The converts located—
Second stage—Total of expenses—Comparison with the
present cost—The missionary qualified—The success of the
trader compared—Missionary station in the United States—
Rev. Mr. Hunter—The Saskatchewan mission—Rivalry of
sects—Coterie of Protestant missionaries in Red River—
Crusade against idols—Church privileges—The Bishop of
Rupert's Land—Sir George Murray’s hints—Concluding
remarks . - . . . .

301

CHAPTER XXI.

Sioux and Saulteaux—Treaties— Indian correspondence —
Indian feelings—Two Indians shot—Result—Indian hung
-——Effect—-The favourable change ~Fulling-mill —The
farce—Yankee fur-traders—-The two foxes— Friendly

intercourse . . . 324

CHAPTER XXTL.

Cause of the Presbyterians resumed—Governor Finlayson—
The petition—The clergy at work—Criticisms—Corre-
spondence with Fenchurch-street — Affidavits — Doubts
removed—The church site question—Company’s ultimatum
—Appeal to the Free..Church of Scotland—Time lost—
Friendly aid of Sir George Simpson—The four propositions
-~The minister-in view—Corvespondence sent to England—
More delay—Bishop of Rupert's Land—The secession—
The Presbyterians at home—The churchyard—Frog Plain
—The church and the manse—End of the forty years’
agitation =. . : . . . . 341

CHAPTER XXIH.

The decades—Epidemic of 1846—State of public feeling—
Deaths—The 6th Royals—The effect—The pensioners—The
Company's policy —A military Governor — Government

xvi CONTENTS.

PAGE,
inquiry and result—Character of Major Caldwell—Isbister's
controversy—Earl of Elgin’s views—Real grievance of the
half-breeds—The fur-trade question—Mob meeting—Cele-
brated trial of Sayer—The Court in jeopardy—Reasons and
opinions—-Hints for consideration—Judge Thom and the
laws—Sacredness of the oath . . . . 362

CHAPTER XXIV.

Climate and productions—Woodlands and pasturage—Rear- .
ing of cattle—Horses—Brick-makers and other artisans—
Prices—Domestic servants—Barter_ and long credit—The
truck system—Jmports—Exports—How the money comes
—Police—Magistrates—Minnesota and the half-breeds—

Fortune's own child—Pembina and the Americans—St.
Peter's again—Minnesota governmcnt—Vancouver’s Island
and the constitution of Red River—Danger of neglect—
Appendix : . . . . . 387

THE

RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE.

CHAPTER I.

Contents.—The Hudson's Bay Company's Charter-—Legal
opinions on its validity—-Remarks on the same—Lord Selkirk's
grant—Observations thereon — Geographical position of Red
River Colony —Indian Treaty-—-The Saulteaux Indians —
Country described—Conflagrations in the plains—Effect—Cold
—Heat—Wolves—The four opinions—Lord Selkirk’s motives
considered.

Taz history of a Colonial Settlement is always inte-
resting, whether it be regarded as another link added to
the growing chain of civilization; as the means by which
new nations and kingdoms may be founded; or only as
an additional field of enterprise, calculated to relieve an
older country of its redundant population and over-
flowing resources. Under each of these aspects the
settlement on the shores of the Red River possesses
its particular claim to regard, but more especially in
the respect first mentioned; the primary object of its
founder having been the spread of the Gospel, and the
evangelization of the heathen. In the course of our
narrative, it will appear how far that object has been

2 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

realized, and by what means. First, we have to exhibit
the Colony in its material aspect, and historical associa-
- tions.

This settlement, it is well known, lies within the
territories of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s charter,
granted by King Charles the Second, in the year
1670; in terms of which the Company became absolute
lords and proprietors of the soil, and, as a consequence,
it is alleged, were entitled to the exclusive right of
trade* On that right, however, or rather on the
validity of the charter, we shall here make a brief
observation; for not only is it a point of considerable
importance to our history, but it is one in which the public
have been much: interested, and on which the most
eminent lawyers both in England and Canada have
disagreed. _

The validity of the charter is supported by the
opinion of Earl Grey, late Se¢retary for the British
Colonies, who in a letter to Sir John Pelly, Baronet,
Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, dated June
6th, 1850, thus alludes to it;—* Steps having been taken

* The charter was granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company by

King Charles the Second, and includes all the country, the waters
of which run into Hudson's Bay.

The Royal License of exclusive trade with the Indians, in such
parts of British North America as are not included in the charter,
was granted to the Company by her present Majesty, Queen
Victoria, for a further term of twenty-one years, upon the sur-
render of a former grant for the like term, and is dated Bucking-
ham Palace, 30th May 1838.

Another Royal grant was made to the Company of Van-
couver’s Island, dated the 13th January 1849.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 3

to obtain from the Hudson’s Bay Company a statement
of its claims, that statement was duly submittéd to Her
Majesty’s law advisers; and Her Majesty’s Government
received from them a report that the claims of the
Company were well founded. It was observed in that
report, that with a view to the fuller satisfaction of the
House of Commons and the parties interested, it would
be advisable to refer the inquiry to a competent tribunal,
and that the proper method of raising a discussion on
it, would be for some person to address a petition to
Her Majesty, which petition might then be referred
either to the Judicial Committee, or the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade and Foreign Plantations.
Such a petition was therefore essential to the complete
prosecution of the inquiry. Lord Grey accordingly
gave to certain parties in this country, who had taken
an interest in the condition of the inhabitants of the
Hudson’s Bay Company’s territories, and had questioned
the validity of the Company’s charter, an opportunity
to prefer the necessary petition if they were so disposed ;
but for reasons which it is unnecessary to repeat, they
respectively declined to do so. Lord Grey having
therefore, on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government,
adopted the most effectual means open to him for
answering the requirements of the address, has been
obliged, in the absence of any parties prepared to
contest the rights claimed by the Company, to assume
the opinion of the law officers of the Crown in their
favour to be well founded.
(Signed) B. Hawes.”
The decided opinion thus given by the ablest lawyers

4 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

in England is supported by some of the most eminent
in the United States. “The terms of this ¢harter,”
says R. S. Coxe, “resemble those granted to some of
the Coloniés upon this continent by the British Crown,
which have ever been construed to confer a proprietary
interest in the soil as well as a modified sovereignty
over the entire country granted. The territory on the
west coast of America was not comprehended within
the original charter; but its general provisions have
been extended to that region by subsequent Acts :—the
statute 43 Geo. IIT., passed in 1803; the royal grant of
1821, regulating the fur trade; that of 1838; and the
treaty between Great Britain and the United States of
1846: this last treaty was framed and its language must
be construed with reference to the foundation upon
which the rights of the Company then rested. , It is
well known that the Hudson’s Bay Company not, only
appropriated to its particular and exclusive use, various
tracts of land lying within the general description in
the grant to it; but also exercised the power of making
grants of extensive tracts to sub-purchasers. The
authority it exercised was unlimited.”

“TI entertain no doubt” says the late Honourable
Daniel Webster, “ that these Companies have a vested
proprietary interest in these lands. Their title, to its
full extent, is protected by treaty, and although it is
called a possessory title, it has been regarded as being,
if not an absolute fee in the land, yet a fixed right of
possession, use, and occupation, as to prevent the soil
from being alienated to others. Some years ago,
during the controversy respecting Lord Selkirk’s

/
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 5

settlement, the nature of these possessory rights was
examined, and considered by very, eminent counsel in
England, with Sir Samuel Romilly at their head.
They were all of opinion, that action of trespass, and
other usual legal remedies for interrupting the use and
enjoyment of land, might’be resorted to and maintained
by the Companies under their Charters,”

On this part of the case, concurring with Mr. Coxe,
I have nothing to add to his remarks.”

Similar testimony is borne by John Van Buren,
another United States lawyer of great experience, who
declared’ “That the occupation of the Hudson’s Bay
Company was lawful, and their charter perpetual.”
Again, Geo. M. Gibb, Esq., strongly urged it on the
American Government to purchase the rights of the

iiaisons Bay Company, within the territory of the

Oregon, as a measure of public policy. “ For,” says he,
“the possessory rights springing out of this perpetual
charter, are so wide, so long, so deep, so multiplied, and.
so indefinite, as to affect seriously our interest there.”
And further, Edwin M. Stanton, Esq., on the subject of
the Company’s possessory rights, states, “For not only
was the possession of the Hudson’s Bay Company
recognised by its Government, but also their absolute
right to grant and convey vast and unlimited portions
of territory to others.”

To draw nearer home: “Down to the date of the
charter,” says Mr. Thom, the able Recorder of Rupert’s
Land, “the Crown of England confessedly possessed,
and habitually*exercised, the right of granting foreign
trade and colonial dominion to private individuals, or to

6 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

public corporations, without the consent of the Houses
of Parliament; and perhaps no document was ever more
frequently confirmed by the paramount authorities of
any country than the charter of Prince Rupert and his
distinguished associates. By 7 and 8 Wm. IIL, chap.
22, the proprietary plantations, such as Rupert’s Land,
were regulated in such terms as expressly involved a
parliamentary recognition of all royal grants of colonial
dominion. By 6 Anne, chap. 37—a statute which
proposed to facilitate the colonial trade—all the estates,
, rights, and ‘privileges of the Hudson’s Bay Company
were declared to be saved, notwithstanding the tenor
and ‘tendency of the act itself; so that here -was a
general recognition of the whole charter with a special
reference to its commercial provisions. By 14 Geo. IIL,
chap. 83, the northern boundary of Canada was to be
the southern boundary of the territory granted to the
Hudson’s Bay Company, the parliamentary province
_ merely claiming to the northward what the letter of the
royal grant, without regard to actual possession, might
leave unappropriated. “By 1 and 2 Geo. IV., chap. 66,
the charter of Rupert’s Land was twice expressly recog-
nised:: its first section, though its single object was to pre-
vent competition, yet confined the license to the country
not covered by the charter; thus positively saving, as
in the last-mentioned case, the extent of territory, and
negatively assuming the right of trade as an already
existing security against the dreaded evil; and the
closing section of the Act revived, in the most emphatic
language, the chartered jurisdiction which one of the
intermediate sections had extinguished,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 7

“ But the royal charter has been recognised by public
documents more important in their-effect, though,
perhaps, less obligatory in their character, than Acts of
Parliament. ' In the reign of Queen Anne, the treaty of
Utrecht transferred from France to England all right
and title to the chartered territories, French Canada,-
and French Louisiana; thus accepting the charter as °
the arbiter of their northern boundaries, and rendering
to its limits the very homage which English Canada
and the Indian territories still render to the same. The
Hudson’s Bay Company’s charter has been sanctioned
by every variety of Parliament—by the Parliament of
England, by the Parliament of England and Scotland,
and by the Parliament of England, Scotland, and Ireland;
it has been sanctioned by five of the eight intermediate
predecessors of Victoria; it has been sanctioned with
respect to its exclusive trade, with respect to its local
jurisdiction, and with respect to its geographical extent ;
it has been sanctioned as against individual subjects,
and as against individual aliens; it has been sanctioned
“as against neighbouring “xolonies, and as against foreign
states ; ‘and what is more than all this, it has been
proved to be independent of any sanction by triumphing,
on merely technical grounds, over a direct attack of
the supreme authority of the empire.” With these facts
before us, we are bound morally and politically to
regard the charter of Charles II.,with all its doubtful
and questionable conditions, as valid, until~the British
Government pronounce it otherwise.

If such is the law of; the case, it is no less true, that
respect for this charter| is also sound policy. Were it

. N\

“

8 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

annulled by the British Government, and the country ~
thrown open to competition, there is too much reason
‘to fear that anarchy’ and bloodshed would take the
place of that uniform system and good order which | at
present is universally enjoyed under the safeguard and
protection of the charter. But whatever the result to
the aborigines and the colonists, it is certain, however
_ strange it may seem, that the Company alone could
be gainers by such a change. In the first place they
would be enriched by compensation for their property
to the amount, at least, of some two or three millions
sterling, and with this capital they would still enjoy
the same privileges here as other British subjects. To
this must be added the deeply rooted hold they possess
in the country, which would virtually be still as much
under the Company’s control without as with the
charter. In a word, the Company would lose nothing
by the change but the mere. name, while the whole
country would be involved in confusion, and suffer we
know not what, from the evils attendant on free
trade.

Inviting the reader at least to suspend his judgment
on these points, we come now to the proper commence-_
ment of our history. As early as the year 1811, in the
progress of his colonizing’ system, Thomas Douglas,
Earl of Selkirk, purchased from the Hudson’s Bay
Company a large tract of land ‘comprised within the
_ limits of its charter, for the purpose of planting a colony
there, The boundary of this grant « begins-at a point
on the avestern shores of Lake Winipeg, 52° 30° north
latitude ; thence running due west to the Lake Wini-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 9

pegoos; thence in a southerly direction, so as to strike
its western shores in lat. 52° N.; then due west to the
place -where the parallel of 52° N. latitude intersects
the Assiniboine River, then due south from that to the
height of land which separates the waters running into
' the Hudson’s Bay, from those of the Missouri and
Mississippi; thence in an easterly direction along that
height: of land, to the source of the Winipeg, or the
principal branch of: the waters which flow to the mouth
of the Winipeg River, and thence in a northerly
direction to the middle of Lake Winipeg, then west to -
the place of beginning.”

Red River, one of the feeders of Lake Winipeg, is
within , this grant, and situated.at the south extremity
of that lake, “in lat. 50° N. and long: 97° W. It is
about 300 miles long, but in its windings- more than
400, and lies in the direction of south and north;
having its source in Ottertail Lake, at the couteau. des
prairie, or height of land. This river, of no great
breadth, and having a muddy bottom, is navigable to the
Grande Fourche, or Great Forks, about 150 miles from
its mouth, with small boats or pirogues (wooden canoes. )
Some time after his lordship had made this extensive
purchase, it was found that the Americans claimed as far
as the forty-ninth degree of north ‘latitude, which of
course curtailed his lordship’s claim to Pembina, where
the international line between both Governments passes.
From Lake Winipeg, then, to Pembina was the place
selected by his lordship for establishing his colony,
although in the Indian treaty, as we shall presently see, *:
“La Grande Fourche” is mentioned. Thus the extent
- BS '.,

10 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

of it, south and north, is in a manner limited to about
100 miles: whereas, on the east and west, it might be
extended to almost any distance.

The charter of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the
purchase of these ‘lands by Lord Selkirk, clearly
establish chis right, according to the laws of civilized
nations; yet some arrangement with the Indians was
necessary, in order to remove all annoyance from the
settlers.. Lord Selkirk therefore concluded the follow-
ing treaty, which, although a little out of ‘chronological
order, may here be conveniently introduced :—

“‘This Indenture, made on the 18th day of July, in
the fifty-seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign
Lord King George the Third,.and in the year of our
Lord 1817, between the undersigned Chiefs and
Warriors of the Chippeway or: Saultéayx Nation, ané
of the Killistino or Cree Nation, on-the one part, and the
Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Selkirk on the other
part. Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the
annual present or quit-rent hereinafter mentioned, the
said Chiefs have given, granted, and confirmed, and do...
by these presents give, grant, and confirm, unto our
Sovereign Lord the King, all that tract of land, adjacent
to Red River and Assiniboine River, beginning at the
mouth of the Red River, and extending along the same
as far as the Great Forks at the mouth of Red Lake
River, and along Assiniboine River as far as«Musk-rat
River, otherwise called Riviere des Champignons, and
extending to the distance of six miles from Fort
Douglas (the first colony fort) on every side, and
likewise from Fort Daer (at Pembina), and also from

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 11

the Great Forks, and in other parts extending in
breadth to the distance of two English statute miles
back from the banks of the said rivers, on each
side, together with all the appurtenances whatsoever
of the said tract of land, to have and to hold for
ever the said tract of land, and appurtenanices, to the
use of the said Earl of Selkirk, and of the settlers
being established thereon with the consent and permis-
sion of our Sovereign Lord the King, or of the said
Earl of Selkirk. Provided always, and these presents
are under the express condition, that the said Earl, his
heirs, and successors, or their agents, shall annually pal
to the Chiefs and Warriors of ‘the Chippeway or
Saulteaux Nation the present, or quit-rent, consisting of
one hundred pounds weight of good merchantable
tobacco, to be delivered on or -before the tenth day of
October at the Forks of Assiniboine River: and to the
Chiefs and Warriors of the Knistineaux or Cree Nation
a like- -ptesent, or quit-rent, of one hundred pounds of
tobaceo, to be delivered to ‘them on or before the said
tenthiday of October, at Portage de la Prairie, on the
banks of Assiniboine River. Provided always that
the traders hitherto established upon any part of the
above-mentioned tract of land, shall not be molested
in the possession of the lands which they have already
cultivated and improved, till, His Majesty’s pleasure
shall be known.

« In witness whereof, the Chiefs aforesaid have set
their marks at the Forks of Red River, on the day
aforesaid.

(Signed) “ SELKIRKE.~

12 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: .

Signed in presence of Thomas Thomas ; James Bird ;
F. Matthey, Captain; P. D. Orsonnens, Captain; Miles
Macdonnell; J. Bste. Chr. De Lorimier ; Louis Nolin,
Interpreter; and the following chiefs, each of whom
made his mark, being a rude outline of some, animal.

Mocws W. Krocaz Oucxmwoat
(Le Sonent.) (Premier, alias Grande Oreilles.) °
MEcHUDEWIKONAIE ‘
(La Robe Noire.) KAYAJIEKEBINOA .
Prcowis : (L’homme Noir.)

In this treaty we find the Saulteaux mentioned first,
as if they had the better claim to priority, and the
Crees last, whereas the fact is, the Saulteaux have no
claim at all to the lands of Red River, being aliens or
intruders, The Crees and Assiniboines are, and have

been since the memory of man, the rightful owners or
“inhabitants of this part of the country. The Saulteaux
being a party to the treaty gave great umbrage to the
Crees, who, in consequence, have repeatedly threatened
to drive them back to their old haunts about Lake
Superior: and even threaten till this day the colonists,
that they will reclaim their lands again, unless the
Saulteanx are struck off the list altogether. These
menaces are often held out, to the no small annoyance
and dread of the settlers, lest the threat be some day
or other put in execution.

The short explanation of this intrusion is as follows:
—During the troubles between the rival companies,
which we have had occasion to notice so often in a
former work, the north-west people had introduced some

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 13

.of the Saulteaux as trappers and hunters into this part
‘of the country, and among those, there were at the

time of the treaty one or two considered by the whites
as great men, but never recognised as such among
their own people; and these are the names that figure so
prominently in the treaty as Saulteaux Chiefs. The
earliest date that any Saulteaux found his way into this
quarter, was about the year 1780; at present they are
pretty numerous, and a more bloodthirsty, revengeful
race, never raised a tomahawk, or drew a scalping-
knife; but more of’ this hereafter.

The general aspect of the country is determined by
the course of the river, “which rans through the centre
of the éolony, from south td north, or rather it is settled
on both banks.’ The weit side throughout is one
continued level plain, interrupted here and there with
only a few shrubs or bushes®all the way from Lake
Winipeg to Pembina, without wood to yield shelter,
or a tributary stream of any magnitude to irrigate the
soil, except the Assiniboine, which titers at the forks;
nothing to diversify the monotony ‘of a bleak and open
sea of plain. On the east the landscape is more varied,

with hill and dale, and skirted at no‘ great distance by
what is called the pine hills, covered-with timber, and
running parallel to the river all the way. With the
exception of this moderately elevated ridge, however,
all the other parts are low, level, marshy, and wooded.
The banks of the river are low on both sides, so that
when the water rises to any height beyond the level of

‘ordinary years, the waters find an easy access over the

banks, flood the fields, and inundate the country.

at
4,
a

14 \ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Thexextensive “plains we have described, possess dull
and dreary sameness during winter, which, however, in
“summer, is changed to one of the finest views and most
fascinating “prospects in nature. In autumn, when every
species of vevetation is dry and withered, alarming and
destructive firés break out; the wad of a gun, or a spark
from a tobacco-pipe, being sufficient to ignite the long
grass and reeds which extend as far as eye'can reach.
On these occasions, self-preservation calls forth the
frightened inhabitants en masse, to watch and guard, in
anxious forebodings, their little all. These conflagra-
tions, once kindled, mah before the winds, it may be
for weeks together, encircling at last the whole colony
in an ocean of flame. The natives frequently relate
that whole families have been overtaken by these irre-
sistible fires while travelling through the plains, and
burnt to death. Indeed, we have seen a fatal instance
of the kind ourselves, even on the colonized lands, and
within three miles of the settlement. In this instance,
three whites and two Indians lost their lives, besides
seventeen horses, and numbers of horned cattle, while
many others had a very narrow escape. The only
chance for the.traveller, unless some lake or river is at
hand, is to burn the grass around him, and occupy the
‘centre of the little clearing thus formed; in which case
he will have only the smoke and ashes to contend with.
At times, however, the fire advances with such fearful
rapidity, as to baffle any attempt of this kind; it has
been known to overtake and destroy the fleetest

No sooner has the devouring element of fire been

horse. re

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 15

arrested, but the keen and piercing frosts of winter set
in. From the unsheltered state of the country, the
settlement is constantly exposed, on the north and west,
to bleak and stormy winds, which, during the winter of
seven months’ duration, are accompanied with deep
snows and intense cold. The thermometer in these
seasons often ranges from 30° to 40° below zero; the
writer has seen it at 45°, and it has been known to fall
as low as 49°; yet the soil is rich, crops luxuriant, and
the country healthy; catarrhs or obstinate coughs,
occasioned by sudden transitions from heat to cold, or
the contrary, in the spring and autumn, being the mngpt
frequent complaints. In the summer time the range of
the thermometer is from 95° to 105° in the shade. -
Formerly all this part of the country was overrun
by the wild buffalo, even as late as 1810, and of course

“frequented by wolves, which are always found in the

same neighbourhood. At the present time, long after
the buffalo has disappeared from the environs of the
settlement, the wolves are sufficiently numerous to
be very annoying-and destructive to cattle; particularly
to hogs, calves, and sheep. The former are often torn
out of their styes, and neither of the latter can show
themselves with safety in the plains. Even grown-up.
cattle, and particularly horses, are frequently killed \

about the settlement. To check the evil, the wolves \

are trapped, run down with horses, hunted with guns,
poison is applied, and premiums offered for their
destruction; yet after all, they are still numerous

hunters frequent the plains, the evil will be incurable.

-during-the-spring-and fall-of-the- year.—So-long asthe ~~

\
\

16 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

At every trip, the carts on their return are followed by
a train of these unwelcome visitors.

We come now to inquire what his lordship’s motives
could have been for planting a colony in a place like
Red River—so remote, full of obstacles, and forbidding
both by sea and land; “nor are we sure we shall arrive
at the truth; but we shall show the reasons assigned at ~
the time, and the speculative opinions that have been
formed by different parties on the subject, and leave the
reader to draw his own conclusions, and judge for
himself. ;

Ist. According to the North-West creed, his lordship
planted the colony to ruin their trade. From the jealous
and hostile fends carried on in the country at the time,
by the partisans of the two rival companies, the North-
West and Hudson’s Bay, it was alleged by the former,
and with some degree of reason, that Lord Selkirk, who
was a large shareholder in the latter, endeavoured
to check the physical superiority of his opponents, and
by means of the new colony secure to the Hudson’s
Bay Company, and to himself, not only the extensive
and undivided trade of the country within their own
territories, but a safe and convenient stepping-stone for
monopolizing all the fur trade of the far west; which

Cal

would have been a death-blow to their concern. The ____

-North-West; therefore, viewing his lordship’s object in
this light, disputed the validity of the Hudson’s Bay
Company’s charter, and of the grants of land made to
him, and consequently unfurled the standard of oppo-
sition against it; this hostility and enmity, on their
part, was the cause of all the troubles and misfortunes

. ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 7

the colonists had to contend with for many years
afterwards, as we shall more clearly see hereafter.

2nd. Another strong reason for establishing Red
River Colony has been stated; for with reference to
these matters, we must regard Lord Selkirk and the
Hudson’s Bay Company as one, their interests being
blended together. It is not, perhaps, generally known,
that all dormant or retiring partners, and others leaving
.the service from time to time, carry off to other countries
large sums of money, over which the Company could
no longer have any control : with the view, therefore, of
preventing this money from going out ‘of the country,
the Company, by means of their sub-monopolist, Lord
Selkirk, founded the colony in question; that by means
of it, all, or the greater part of such retiring partners
and others, especially those having Indian families,— -
and they are many,—might he induced to settle there in
preference to going home to their own countries, as
being more congenial to their past habits of life. The
Company well knew that a colony planted in the bosom
of their own trade, must in the nature of things be
more or less dependent on them for its supplies, and that
by it a double advantage would be gained to the fur
trade :—Ist. All such sums of money as would other-

wise—be —liable-to-be—carried—out.-of-the--country—by—-——— ~-- -
retiring servants, would eventually fall back again into
the Company’s own hands. 2nd. All the surplus
produce, such as flour, beef, pork, and butter, articles the
Company require, would by means of the colony be
obtained more conveniently, cheaper, and with less
_ risk, than by the annual importation of. such articles

18 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

from England. 3rd. By supplying the Company; the
settlers would have a ready market at their door,
sufficient to satisfy all their wants, In‘ this last
point of view, if in no other, the advantages would
undoubtedly be reciprocal between the Company and
its colony. :

3rd. The next statement, in our opinion, contains
his lordship’s real object, the pious and philanthropic
desire of introducing civilization into this wilderness.
Being a pious man himself, he felt for others. His
lordship knew from long experience, that poverty and
degradation were making long and rapid strides in
Rupert’s Land; that the wild animals of the chase
had almost ceased to exist there, in sufficient numbers,
at least, to feed and clothe the aboriginal inhabitants
of the soil—not that such numbers had been extirpated
by the natives themselves, but by the destroying hand
of civilized man. It was now, in this point of view,
drawing towards the eleventh hour, when it was high
time for them, not only to cultivate the ground, whereby
they might live, but prepare to cultivate the mind
also, as the best test of their improving condition,
spiritually as well as temporarily. To this end, the
preparatory step with his, lordship was a colony, as a
nucleus or rallying point in the wilderness. The
object, then, was a laudable and charitable one, strictly
in accordance with the character of such a man as Lord
Selkirk—a man of a great mind and a good heart—
and also in accordance with the spirit of the Company’s
charter.

4th. For various reasons, therefore, we and many

~ sone

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 19

others here are of opinion, that Lord Selkirk’s object
was the good of the natives, and theirs alone. What else
could it have been? It was not territorial acquisition:
that the Company had already. It was not the exclu-
sive right of trade: that they had already. It was not
to relieve a redundant population, for that relief was
but small; nor could it have been for the bubble repu-
tation. No: he had purer motives. The only prominent
objection we have to Red River Colony in a local point
of view is its proximity to the boundary line on the
south, and his lordship was too clear-sighted not to have
foreseen, that eventually it might fall into the hands of
the Americans, and should it not, the only outlet for its
resources must be south, and not north. Beyond what
the Company might require, its market, in the nature of
things, must be south also. Hence it is quite evident
that his lordship’s motives must have been what we have
stated; namely, the civilizing and evangelizing of the
natives: so that into whatever hands its government
fell, he would have attained his end. For its value to
Great Britain, if we except the interest of the Hudson’s
Bay, Company, was, and ever must be, small indeed;
nor could the Americans expect to-benefit much by it,
either in a political or commercial point of view. The
fears of the North-Westers were fully realized, the
anticipations of the-Hudson’s-Bay-Company fully borne
out by the result, for the colony has become a nursery
for its retired servants; but as to Lord Selkirk’s view of
benefiting the Indians, forty years’ experience has
proved it, as we shall hereafter be able to show, a
complete failure. :

é ~

20 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: -
as

CHAPTER IL.

‘

Contents.—Emigrants to Red River—Perilous voyage—Recep-
tion by the employées of the North-West Company—Critical
position— Contract — Trip to Pembina— Comparison—Half-
breeds— Winter quarters—W heat sown—Returns—Blackbirds—
Pigeons—Pembina—Plot~Provisions—Plansdefeated—Procla-
mation—Result—Churchill—Gun-locks—Cruelty—New emi-
grants-—Join the North-West—Proposals—Emigrants abandon
the North-West—Skirmishing—A man shot-—Houses burnt—
Emigrahts in exile—Recalled—Last brigade arrive—The four
_ conditiois—Scotch minister—Conditions—Marriages—Baptisms
" —Mr. Sutherland. ”

In the year 1812, several Scotch families, called the -
first brigade, emigrated to’ Hudson’s Bay, under the
patronage of the Earl of Selkirk, with a view to colonize

the tract of country already described, lying contiguous

to the American frontiers, but within the territories of

the Hudson’s Bay Company, called Red River. These
emigrants were the first. settlers of the only colony that
had-~been attempted upon_those_inhospitable—coasts.- -—~

Their undertaking was a hard one; but inured to a rough
life’ in the hills of Scotland, the hardy mountaineer 1s
ever ready to embark in any adventure or enterprise,
be it ever so perilous, that holds out the slightest
“prospect of bettering his condition.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 21

The emigrants arrived in safety, after a journey
across sea and land which afforded them a slight fore-
taste of the perilous life in which they had embarked ;
aud but a few hours had passed over their heads in the
land of their adoption, when an array of armed men, of

grotesque mould, painted, disfigured, and dressed in the -

savage costume of the country, warned them that they
were unwelcome visitors. These crested warriors, for
the most part, were employés of the North-West Com-
pany, ‘and as their peremptory mandate to depart was
soon aggravated by the fear of perishing, through want
of food, it was resolved to seek refuge at Pembina,
seventy miles distant, whither a straggling party, whom
they at first took for Indians, promised to conduct them.
The settlement of this contract between parties ignorant
of each other’s language, furnished a scene as curious as
it was interesting ; the language employed on the one
side being Gelic and broken English, on the other, an
Indian jargon and mongrel French, with a mixture of
signs and gestures, wry faces, and grim countenances.
The bargain proved to be a hard one for the emigrants.
The Indians agreed to carry their children and others
not able to walk, but all the rest, both men and women,
had to trudge on foot; while all their little superfluities
were parted with by way of recompense to their guides.

One man, for example, had to give’ his gun, _an_old.
family piece, that had been carried by his father at the
battle of Culloden, which, under any other circumstances,
no money would have purchased. One of the women
also parted with her marriage ring, the sight of which

on her finger was a temptation to the Indians, who are ‘

Mang

22 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:
remarkably fond of trinkets. The 2» journey-to | Pembina
exhibited a strange perversion of things: the savage,
in aristocratic independence, was completely. equipped
and mounted on a fine horse, while the child of civiliza-
tion, degraded and humbled, was compelled to walk.
_after him on foot. No sooner had the gipsy train got
under way, than the lords of freedom scampered on
ahead, and were soon out of sight with the children,
leaving the bewildered mothers in a state of anxious
foreboding, running and crying after them, for their
babes. This facetious trick, as their guides’ doubtless
thought it, was often played them; but without any
other harm than a fright. In other respects the emi-
grants suffered greatly, especially from cold, wet, and
walking in English shoes: their feet blistered and
" swelled, so that many of them were hardly able to move
by the time they reached their destination.

All things considered, the Indians performed their
contract faithfully, and with much indulgence to their
followers, who acquired a better knowledge of their
character as they proceeded. They were a mixed
company of freemen, half-breeds, and some few Indians,
and most of them had been attached, at, the time, to the
hostile party by whom the emigrants had been ordered
to leave the colony. They were then acting under
the influence of the North-West Company ;~ but in
gding to Pembina, on the present occasion, they were
free and acting for themselves, And heré it is worthy of
remark, that the insolence and overbearing tone of these
men when under the eye of their masters, were not

more conspicuous thari their kind, affable, and friendly
e|a-

’
4

£ ”

.ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND, PRESENT STATE. 23

deportment towards the emigrants, when following the
‘impulse of their owm free-will. To the Scotch emi-
grants, who were completely in their .power, they were
everything they could wish; miljd, generous, and
trustworthy. From many circumstances, therefore—
indeed, from their general conduct on the present and
other occasions—-the Scotch were convinced, that when
not influenced or roused by bad counsel, or urged on
to mischief by designing men, the natural disposition”
of the half-breeds is humble, benevolent, kind, and
sociable.

At Pembina the people passed the winter in tents or
huts according to Indian fashion,, and lived on the pro-
ducts of the chase in common with the natives. This
mode of life was not without its charms; it tended to
foster kind and generous feelings between the two races,
who parted with regret when the Scotch, in May 1813,
returned to the colony to cornggence the labours of
agriculture. They now enjoyed peace, but- hunger
pressed hard on them, and they were put to many shifts _
to sustain life. Fish, as sometimes happens, was very,
scarce that season, as were roots and berries: so that
their only dependence was on a harsh and tasteless wild
parsnep, which grows spontaneously in the plains, and a
kind of herbage or plant, equally wild and tasteless,
called by our people /at-hen, a species of nettle; these,
sometimes raw, sometimes boiled, they devoured without
salt. While such was their summer fare, the hoe was
at work, and a small supply of seed-wheat, procured from
Fort Alexander, an Indian trading post on Winipeg River,
turned out exceedingly well. One of the settlers, from

24 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT

the sowing or rather planting of four quarts, reaped
twelve and a half bushels; but it was with great .
difficulty they could save it from the fowls of the air.
Every spring, we may observe, myriads of blackbirds
and wild pigeons pass the colony in their migration to
the north, and return again on their way to the south,
during the time of harvest, and that in such clouds as
to threaten the little patches of grain with total destruc-
tion, more particularly in years when there are no
.berries, On these occasions, bird-nets, guns, and scare-
crows, are all in active operation, and ‘also, men, women,
and children going constantly about their little parterres,
from morning till night, and yet all often proves
ineffectual to repel the formidable enemy. Fortunately,
_ however, this evil is diminishing every year.

Thé fears of the settlers had been dispelled, and their
patience and perseverance supported by a cheering ray
of hope, that the North-Westers would not disturb them
any more. Under this impression, they began to take
courage, and prepare for the arrival of their friends, for
they expected all the other emigrants, or last brigade,
out this fall; but in this hope they: were disappointed.
It was late in the season hefore they were made
acquainted with the delay, and then, rather than
consume the little grain they had secured, they resolved
to try Pembina again, and save what seed they cdald for
another year. Here, again, disappointment, awaited
them. Notwithstanding the extreme kindness shown
by the French half-breeds to the Scotch settlers last
winter, they now kept aloof, and regarded our people
with a jealous eye, Ignorant and awkward as the

~ ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 25

settlers were in such pursuits, they had nevertheless to
think and act for themselves, slaving all winter in deep
snows to preserve life. Nay, a plot was discovered to
murder two of the party who undertook to hunt, and
so this resource was closed against them ; provisions, at
the same time, which they were compelled to purchase,
and drag home with extreme labour, being very starce,
and consequently very dear. Eventually, the settlers
returned to the colony once more in a state of great
destitution; having had to barter away their clothing

~ for food, many of them frost bitten, half naked, and so

discourayed,- that they had resolved never to return to
Pembina again, under any circumstances.

Such was the situation of the colonists at the
commencement of the disastrous year 1814, when‘ a
mistaken act of their own greatly aggravated the
mischances to which they were liable. At the fall of
the year, about the time when the colonists removed to
Pembina, Mr. Mc Donell, formerly Captain of the Queen's _
Rangers, who had been appointed Governor of the
District of Assiniboia, was also nominated by Lord
Selkirk to superintend the colony, and’to take charge of
the settlers. Actuated by a sincere feeling for their inter-
ests, and desirous of guarding against want, this gentle-
man issued a proclamation, in which he forbade the
appropriation of any provisions, whether of flesh, fish,
grain,‘or vegetables, to any use but that of the colonists.
As much stress has been laid on this document, both
in England and Canada, we give it entire :—

“ Whereas the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of
Selkirk is anxious to provide for the families at present

26 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

forming settlements on his lands at Red River, with
those on the way to it, passing the winter at York and
Churchill forts, in Hudson’s Bay, as also those who are —
expected to arrive next autumn, renders it a necessary
and indispensable part of my duty to provide for their
support. In the yet uncultivated state ofthe country,
the ordinary, resources derived from the buffalo and
other wild animals hunted within the territory, are not
deemed more than adequate for the requisite supply.
Whereas, it is hereby ordered, that no person trading
furs or provisions within the territory for the Honourable
Hudson’s Bay Company, or the North-West Company,
or any individual, or unconnected traders, or persons
whatever, shall take any provisions, either of flesh,
fish, grain, or vegetable, procured or raised within the
said territory, by water or land carriage, for one
twelvemonth from the date hereof; save and except
what may be judged necessary for the trading parties
at this present time within the territory, to carry them
to their respective destinations ; and who may, on due
application to me, obtain a license for the same.

“The provisions procured and raised as above shall be
taken for the use of the colony; and that no loss may
accrue to the parties concerned, they will be paid for
by British bills at the customary rates. And be it
hereby further made known, that whosoever shall be
detected in attempting to convey out, or shall aid
and assist in carrying out, or attempting to carry out,
any provisions prohibited as above, either by water or
land, shall be taken into custody, and prosecuted as the
laws in such cases direct, and the provisions so taken, as

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 27

well as any goods and chattels, of what nature soever,
which may be taken along with them, and also the craft,
carriages, and cattle, instrumental in conveying away
the same to any part but to the settlement on Red
River, shall be forfeited.
“Given under my hand, at Fort Daer (Pembina) the
8th day of J anuary, 1814.
(Signed) .“ Mires Mc Doneuz, Governor.
“ By order of the Governor.
(Signed) “ Joun Spencer, Secretary.”
The publication of this document excited the bitterest
feelings on the part of the North-West traders against
the Scotch settlers, and to it, as a first cause, may be
attributed the ruin of the great North-West Company.
It even shook for a time the stability of the Hudson’s
Bay Company itself* Each party was on the alert to

* In explanation of this it is proper to remark, that the pro-
clamation was partly issued by way of retaliation for the
treatment which the emigrants met with at Churchill. The
preceding autumn, some of those bound for Red River had been
landed at that place in a state of very bad health. The scarlet
fever had been ragfog with fatal effect on board the ship, several
had died at sea, and not a few after landing. What followed, we
may relate in the very words of our informant, who was one of
the sufferers :—

“On our reaching Fort Churchill,” said he, “we were so
emaciated and reduced from the fatal effects of the plague, which
proved the death of so many of us before our arrival, that we
had scarcely strength to stand, and some were dying almost
daily. For the sake of those who were recovering, however, some
of our people tried to hunt, to get a fresh partridge or something
of the kind; but this being observed by Mr. Auld, who was then
master at the post, he decoyed our guns from us, under pretence

28 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMDNT:

commence the work of pillage. Provisions were taken
and retaken, and a sort of civil war commenced, in
which many of the ‘colonists sought safety by joining
the ranks of their enemies belonging to the North-West
Company, whom they deemed the stronger party. The
country. was patrolled by armed bands; and partly under
the influence of terror, partly seduced by the flattering
promises they received, the colonists were easily induced
to abandon the settlement again by their new friends,

‘in order to seek a home in Canada. In these perplexities
they passed the remainder of the year, and though their
eyes were gradually opened to the foolish part they had
acted, it was absolutely necessary to keep up appear-
ances through the ensuing winter. Having thus, with
as much duplicity as their seducers, whiled away that
dreary season in safety, they contrived to return to the
colony arain, without an open rupture, in the beginning
of 1815.

The colonists now resumed their agricultural labours, -
and for some time they cherished the hope of future
tranquillity, and a quiet summer. Soon, however,
the North-Westers re-appeared amongst them, and
aggravated at what they called the treachery of the
settlers, they burnt down the colonial establishment ;
in the encounters which led to this result several

of putting them in better order; and the moment he got them
into his possession, so charitable and unfeeling was he, that he
ordered all the locks to be taken off, and then,, with a sarcastic
“leer, returned them back to ts lockless ; adding, ‘You shall eat
nothing but what can be charged against the colony ;’ for he
could not well charge a pheasant or a rabbit of our own killing.”

s 2

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 29

persons ‘were wounded, Mr. Warren killed, and
Governor Mc Donell made prisoner. Anarchy and
confusion now reigned triumphant again. Retaliation
and mutual recrimination followed, till the whole body
of settlers were driven from the colony, and their houses
burnt to ashes. The mandate that .ordered their
immediate departure was brief and imperative: it
commanded “ All seftlers to retire immediately from the
River, and no appearance of a colony: to, remain.” This

act of banishment was signed by the four chiefs of the

half-breeds—“ Cuthbert Grant, Bostonais Pangman, Wil-
liam Shaw, and Bonhomme Montour, June 25th, 1815.”
Some of them were so far misled by the false
representation of a Highlander, of the name of Cameron,
who was in charge of the North-West Company’s
trading post at Red River, as to desert to that station,
and afterwards to take, passage in the North-West
Company’s canoes to Canada, under a promise to each

family of being put, on arrival there, in possession of

200 acres of land, and of being supplied with twelve
months provisions gratuitously. Such of them as could
not be allured by those arts and promises, nor intimidated

by the reports which were industriously circulated of

threatened hostilities from the Indians, quitted the
settlement and proceeded in their boats to the north end
of Lake Winipeg, where they stationed themselves at
Jack River, a trading port belonging to the Hudson’s
Bay Company, and where they remained for some time.

The Hudson’s Bay Company interposed at this crisis,
and, under their protection, the settlers were brought
back from the place of their exile, a distance of 300

30 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

miles. Their case at this time was truly deplorable.
To recite all the trying circumstances, hair-breadth
escapes, and troubles of this hostile period, might well
appal the stoutest heart. To add one evil to another,
the last and main party of the emigrants arrived in
October, so that their predecessors, instead of pre-
paring a settled habitation for them, only seemed to
have performed a longer and more dangerous pilgrimage.
The whole party, however, were now brought together,
and we may conveniently conclude this chapter by
reciting some of the principal conditions by which
they had been tempted to seek a home in the wilderness.

First. They were to enjoy the services of a minister ~
of religion, who was to be of their own persuasion.

Second. Each settler was to receive 100 acres of land,
at five shillings per acre, payable in produce. It will be
seen, however, as we proceed, that in consequence of the
first settlers having suffered so many hardships and severe
trials, Lord Selkirk remitted the five shillings altogether,
and granted them their lands free of all expenses.

Third. They were to have a market in the colony
for all their produce.

Fourth. They were to enjoy all-the privileges of
British subjects. -

On each of these several points, we may have
occasional remarks to offer as we proceed. With
reference’ to the first stipulation, his Lordship engaged
a Mr. Sage, son of the Rev. Alexander Sage,
then minister in the parish of Killdonnan, north of
Scotland, to accompany the emigrants, an annual
salary of 501. having, besides other advantages, been

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 31

guaranteed to him for a certain number of years. The
emigrants, it must be remembered, were all of the
Presbyterian communion, and Gaelic their mother
tongue, of which Mr. Sage was not fully master, and
on this account delayed his departure to the colony for
the term of a year, as agreed upon between the
adventurers themselves and Lord Selkirk. In the
mean time, one of the emigrants, named James Suther-
land, a pious and worthy man, who held the rank of
elder in the Presbyterian church, was appointed to marry
and baptize, from which functions he was never released
by the arrival of the ordained minister, in consequence
of the difficulties in which the colony was placed.

Mr. Sutherland continued his ministerial labours with
unremitted assiduity, till the day he was forced to leave
the settlement, as we shall hereafter see, and was a
father, as well as a spiritual guide to the colonists.
Nor was it the settlers alone that held Mr; Sutherland
in high estimation. On his arrival at York Factory, the
right hand of fellowship was held out to him by the
Governor-in-Chief of the country, as well as by the
Governor of the colony. These men, with their
followers, gladly heard him expound the Scriptures; and
this of itself—considering that he was as unlearned and
simple as the apostles of old—showed him to be a man
of superior endowments. Of all men, clergymen or
others, that ever entered this country, none stood higher
in the estimation of the settlers, both for sterling piety,
and Christian conduct, than Mr. Sutherland. By his
arrival with the Scotch emigrants in Hudson’s Bay,
the gospel was planted in Red River. It was the
sunrise of Christianity in this benighted country.

32 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER MII.

Conrexts.—The Scotch emigrants—Gloomy prospects—Priva-
tions—Llostile feuds—North-West intrigues—Maneuvring—
Hardships of the emigrants— Starving adventures — Bright
prospects—Sudden change—Prospects blighted—Hopeless con-
dition — Hudson’s Bay Company — Civil war — Bloodshed —
Trying scenes—Colony destroyed by the North-West—Flotilla
— Emigrants in exile—Parting admonition—Mr. Grant's heroic
conduct—Bold front—Pillaging parties—Incidents—The first
shot—Fatal result—Short triumph—Scenes changed—Events
—Reprisals—North-West downfall—The de Meuron regiment.

Os the arrival of the last body of Scotch emigrants,

gloomy and portentous was the prospect before them.

The smoky ruins, the ashes scarcely yet cold, were all

‘that remained to mark the progress of their unfortunate

predecessors, and fromthe appearance of things around

them, they had but little reason to expect a better fate.

The hostile feuds and lawless proceedings of the rival

companies had convulsed the whole Indian country

from one side of the continent to the other, but above
all in Red River; and the arrival of more emigrants
only added fresh fuel to the flame thus kindled. The

Nor th-W esters, accustomed to carry all before them,

and impatient of restraint, raised a hue and cry against

the colony and its promoters. The authority and |

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 33

- influence that body had over the Indians, as well as
over its own servants, gave them every advantage: for’

' they had so trained and influenced both in the school of
mischief, rapine, and bloodshed, that. no outrage which
the unscrupulous ministers of a lawless despotism could
inflict, was too extravagant to dread. Posts were
pillaged, robberies committed, and valuable lives sacri-
ficed without remorse.

The partisans of the North-West Company used

: every art to involve the colonists in ruin, by fomenting
dissension amongst them, and terrifying them with
stories of Indian cruelty. Having thus heightened the
terrors of their forlorn condition, it was easy to deceive
them under the mask of friendship, and lure them away
from the settlement, with the prospect of bettering their *
condition. For this purpose they availed themselves of
the most extraordinary means, even to the use of the.
Gaelic language; collecting men from all quarters, and
conveying them to the Red River Colony, with the sole
object of winning the confidence of the settlers, by the
sound of their native tongue. This national charm the
Highlanders could not withstand. All else they might
have resisted: the influence of the Gaelic alone éonquered
them! Tossed about on an ocean of troubles as the
Scotch then were, any change, however faint the hope it
afforded, was hailed with satisfaction. “The scarcity of
provisions at this time, also weakened the hands and the
hearts of the colonists, and turned the balance in favour
of their opponents. oo
‘ In place therefore of sitting down quietly and cul-
tivating the soil on- their ~arrival, they were soon

34 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

dispersed in search of a precarious subsistence, as the
first brigade had been when alone. Some went to
Pembina as usual; others to the prairies bordering on
the waters of the Missouri: while some again - bent
their reluctant steps to the distant lakes. In all
these quarters they sustained themselves in a wretched
manner by means of hunting and fishing among the
savages of the country, and often in their wanderings
they endured every species of privation which misfor-
tune could inflict or patience endure. In this divided
and deplorable coxidition, they all weathered the storm
of adversity during winter, and ‘as soon as the snows
were melted, found their whole party reassembled at
the colony. Every man, woman, and child now toiled
from morning till night, to get a little seed in the

| ground; though, as events proved, they were only
sowing for the fowls of the air to reap.

The North-West party, consisting chiefly of half:
breeds, had been augmented to upwards of 300 strong, all
motinted on horseback, and armed with various weapons,

Such ‘as guns, spears, and tomahawks, or bows and
'” ~ <(Carrows. They were painted like demons, their heads
plumed; and they rushed to the strife with a yell which
gave fatal warning to the industrious but half starved
colonists of the danger that threatened them. At the
critical period to which we have brought our narrative,
3 these daring marauders had penetrated through the very
heart of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s territories, as far
as the shores: of the Atlantic, which wash Hudson’s
Bay, and in their grasping propensities set at defiance
every legal restraint and moral obligation. They pillaged

+? >

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 35

their opponents or destroyed their establishments, as
suited their views at the time, and not unfrequently
kept armed parties marauding: from post to post. It
was one of these bands, numbering about sixty-five per-
sons, that advanced against the infant colony on the fatal
19th of June, when a rencontre took place in which
twenty-one lives were lost; the flower of the Red
River colonists strewing the field like the slain on the |
morning of Chevy Chase. The particulars ‘of this”
conflict are briefly as follows :— i ates ;
The approach of the enemy was annoinesdl: UF “the
women and children of the settlers, who were 3éen
" running from place to place in alarm, seeking protec-
tion and crying out that the settlers were made
prisoners. On this, it appears, Governor Semplé,* who:
was Governor-in-Chief of the Hudson’s Bay Company's

ween we

e
inf

territories, with several other gentlemen and attendafits!” ra

walked out to meet the strangers, now discerned to
be a party of half-breeds and Indians, all’ mounted
‘and armed. Their hostile purpose being manifest,
the Governor and his party halted, and were seen

in a group as if consulting together, while the Indians,

and half-breeds divided themselves into two bodies,
and instantly commenced firing from the shelter
afforded by a few willows; first a shot or two, and then
a merciless volley. The party of Governor Semple,
consisting of twenty-eight persons, was completely sur-
" rounded, and of that number no less than twenty-one

* Mr. ‘Semple was eminently qualified for the situation of

Seyernor-in-Chief, being of a mild, steady, just, and honorable

‘character, highly accomplished, and universally beloved:

36 « ~ ITE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

were killed: namely, My. .Semple, the Governor:
Captain Rogers, mineralogist; Mr. White, the surgeon;
Mr. Mc Lean, the principal settler; Licut. Holt, of the
Swedish navy; Mr. Wilkinson, the Governor's secretary,
and fifteen men; besides which, Mr. J. P. Bourke, the
storekeeper, of whom Wwe shall have to speak hereafter,
was wounded, but saved himself by flight... The unhal-
lowed triymph of the murderers was complete. ‘Only
one of their number fell in the battle as they called it,
and one;,other, we believe, vas wounded, while the .
colonists wha survived the massacre, were ordered’ once
more to leave their homes without farther warning ‘or
preparation, on pain of being hunted down and shot like
wild beasts; if they should ever appear there again. It is
doubtful, indeed, whether one innocent head would
have been spared; and that any escaped was due to
the generosity and heroism of Mr. Grant, the chief of
the hostile party, who rushed before his own people,
and at the ihminent peril of his life kept them at bay,
and saved the remnant’ of the settlers from extirpation.
Their houses, however, were ransacked, their goods
pillaged, and the whole colony driven into exile. They
again found a refuge at Jack River, now called-Norway
Hlouse, situated at the northern extremity of Lake
Winipeg. : >
As might be expected, the advocates of cither party
in this catastrophe strenuously denied having fired the
first shot, and perhaps it will ever remain in ‘some
minds a matter of uncertainty. In the country where
the murder took place, there never has been a shadow
of doubt, but rather a full and clear knowledge of thic

e
°

I¥S RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 37

fact, that the North-West party did unquestionably
fire the first shot, and almost’ all the shots that were
fired; and this opinion is borne out by the testimony of
Michael Heyden, the first witness on the part of the
Crown, who states distinctly (page 76 of the trials)
“That the half-breeds fired the first gun, and by it
Mr. Holt was killed, and immediately after another
was fired, almost directly after, and Governor Semple
~ fell. This was distinctly seen by some at a distance.”
Again he says, “There was no firing before that.”
5 Chief Justice Powell in his charge ‘to the jury, states
: (page 263) “ That Heyden deposes ‘that a Mr. Holt was
‘killed by the first shot, and by the second Mr. Semple
“ifell” and adds (page 267) “ These two'shots were the
"firét®that were fired.” The opinion ‘of the writer is
most-dedided that the guilt of this bloodshed rests on the
North-West party, and the following list of casualties
may suggest to some how dearly it was visited upon 1 them,
in the course of a few years. It exhibits thé violent
or sudden death of no less than-twenty-six- out of the
° sixty-five who composed the party.

‘1. The first person in our melancholy catalogue was
aman named Dechamp, who, in crossing the river near
to his own house.at-Pembina, suddenly dropped down
dead on the ice;--the! dog he had jalong with him,
shared the same,fate, at the same instant, without any
prev ious illness ok warning of his end. - .

. Fréhcois Dechamp, : son of the above Dechamp;
was «stabbed to death by his own comrade, .his wife
shot, and his children burnt to death, all at the same
time, near Fort Union, Missouri River.

‘ ,

38 . THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

3. La Grosse Téte, brother to Francois Dechamp, was
shot by an Indian between the pickets of a trading post,.
on the Missouri. These three individuals belonged to
the same family.

4 Coutonahais, suddenly dropped down dead while
dancing with a party of his comrades, at the Grand
Forks, beyond Pembina.

5. Battosh, shot dead by an unknown hand, in Red
River colony. "

6. Lavigne, drowned in crossing Red River, near
Nettly Creck.

7. Fraser, run through the body at Paris by a French
officer, and killed. .

8. Baptiste Morrallé, in a drunken squabble on the
Missouri, thrown into the fire and burnt to death, by his
drunken companions.

9. La Certe, died drunk on the high road on the
Mississippi river.

10. Joseph Truttier, wounded by a gun and disabled
‘for life in Red River.

11. J. Baptiste Latour, died a miserable death by
infection. ;

12. Duplicis was killed by a wooden fork running
through his body in the act of jumping from a hay
stack at Carlton, on the Saskatchewane River.

13, J. Baptiste Parisien, shot dead by an unknown
hand, while in the act of running buffalo, in the Pem-
bina plains.

14, Toussaint Voudré, lost an arm by accident, and
disabled for life in Red River.

15; Francois Gardupie, the brave, shot and scalped

_
i.

cerca

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 39

in a sudden rencontre with the Sioux Indians, on the
banks of the Missouri, in sight of his comrades.

16. Bourassin, killed on the Saskatchewane; particu-
lars not known.

17. Louison Vallé, put to death by a party of Sioux
Indians in the Pembina plains, and in sight of his com- .
panions.

18. Ignace Mc Kay, found dead on the public road,
White Horse Plains, Red River.

19. Michel Martin, died a miserable death at Mon-
treal, Lower Canada. :

20. Thomas McKay, died of intemperance, Columbia
River. .

21. Ka-tee-tea-goose, an Indian, said to be the person
who fired the first shot. This savage, on returning to
his family after the massacre, was met by a war party
of the Grosse Ventre, or Big Belly tribe, near Brandon
House, who after shooting and scalping him, cut his
body to pieces, carried off his fingers and toes, and
strewed the rest of his remains to the wild beasts, to
mark the place where he fell.

22, Cha-ne-cas-tan, another Indian, drowned in a
small pool of water scarcely two feet deep, near the
Li Ale Missouri River, Brandon House. -

3. Oké-ma-tan, an Indian, froze to death in the
Pembina plains.
, 24. Ne-de-goose-ojeb wan, gored to death by a

» buffalo bull,, while in the act of hunting.

25. Pe-me-can-toss, shot and thrown into a hole by
his own people.
26. Wa-ge-tan-né, an Indian, his wife and two chil-

40 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

dren, killed by lightning on a hunting excursion. Of
this unfortunate number, two were Canadiaus, two
English, two Scotch, and fourteen French half breeds ;
four Saulteaux, and two Cree Indians. .

We must in fairness remark that Governor Semple
was ill advised in going out with an armed party at all
on this occasion, unless he had been able to command a
sufficient force to awe his opponents, and protect the
settlets, His better plan was negotiation, or stratagem,
and he should have gone out alone, or at most taken
one or two with him, unarmed. By a little flattery, and
vood management, the half-breeds and Indians michr
have been diverted from their mischievous projects,
since they are by no means an unreasonable people
when an appeal is made to the better feelings of their,
nature. On the contrary, Mr. Semple and his party
being all armed, must have suggested an idea of their
hostile intention, and was no doubt the leading cause of
the catastrophe that followed.

No sooner was the news of the fatal affray at Red
River spread abroad, than the Earl of Selkirk, with an
armed force, seized on Fort William, the grand depét
and head quarters of the North-West Company. To
account for this summary act of retaliation, we
ought to explain that his Lordship was, at this very
time, on his way to the colony; his visit being induced
by the hostile attitude which the partisans of the
North-West Cempany had assumed. At Montreal, en
route, he had engaged about 100 disbanded soldiers
of the de Meuron regiment, so called, it is said,
after a former Colonel of that name, They were chiefly

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 41

foreigners, a medley of almost all nations—Germans,
French, Italians, Swiss, and others; and, with few
exceptions, were a rough and lawless set of blackguards.

These men had entered into written agreements with -

Lord Selkirk, and were to be paid at a certain rate per
month, for navigating the boats or canoes to Red River.
They were, further, to have lands assigned to them in
the settlement, if they chose to remain; and otherwise,
to be conveyed, at his Lordship’s expense, either to
Montreal or Europe. As the event proved, they
preferred the former, and were rewarded with small
‘grants of land, situate on a tributary stream, known as
‘Riviere la Seine, entering on the es side of Red
River, opposite to Point Douglas, which afterwards, in
honour of them, took the name of German Creek, The
dle Meurons were bad farmers, as all old soldiers generally
wre, and withal very bad subjects; quarrelsome, slothful,
famous bottle companions, and ready for any enterprise,
however dawless and tyrannical. Under any circum-

stances, a Hevy of this character could be no great:

acquisition’ to a ’newysettlement ; and at such a juncture
as we have’ desthibed: dtioulbacyer ‘liuve been _ permitted
by the Canadian ‘Governments, we ‘ he

These mutual 3 aggressions, However, led to the appoint-
ment, of a commission of inquiry, consisting of Colonel
Coltman ‘and Major Fletcher, who were sent from

Canada, armed with full authority to commit the guilty -

of either side for trial.

42 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER IV.

Contents :—Emigrants recalled from banishment— The colony
re-established—The free grant—Church and school lots—Sites
described— Deeds promised—Scotch and their minister—
Lord Selkirk’s departure—Seed—Returns— Pembina— W inter
adventures—Cold—Severe trials—Camp hospitalities—The
Scotch——_Mr. Sutherland—Pleasing prospects soon. blighted—
Grasshoppers—French emigrants—Pembina again— Grass-
hoppers—Total ruin—The Scotch turn hunters—Last thought
the best—Prairie de Chien adyenture—Wheat—Communication
from Red River to St. Peter's—Party arrive—Llope revived.

On arriving at Red River, after the exploit we have
mentioned, the first step of Lord Selkirk, as a matter of
course, was to restore order, as far as possible. The
people were all brought back from Norway House,
where they had been banished by the half-breeds the
preceding summer, and reinstated on their- lands.
This being accomplished, his Lordship assembled the
emigrants at a public meeting, on the west bank of
Red River, some two miles below Fort Garry, and in
consideration of the hardships, losses, and misfortunes,
they had from time to time suffered, he made them
several concessions. To some, who had lost their all,
he made a grant of land, comprising twenty-four ten
chain lots, in free soccage, the holders merely conforming

ERC

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 43

' to the conditions laid down in the deed of feoffment

granted by the Hudson’s Bay Company to the Earl.
These lots were the only free lands granted to emigrants
in the colony. They had lately been surveyed and
marked off by Mr. Fidler, on the left bank of the
river, and two of them (No. 3 and No. 4) were
designated by“his Lordship as the sites respectively of a
church and a school for the colony. “ Here,” said his
Lordship—pointing to the lot No. 4, on which the
Company stood— here, you shall build your church,
and that lot,” said he again—pointing to the next, being
No. 3—‘is for a school.” Between the church and
school lots there runs a small rivulet, called the
Parsonage Creek.*

* The lots alluded to, as the document informs us, and which
we shall transcribe for future reference, “are laid out along a line
run by Mr. Fidler in the direction North 12° East, or thereby ;
lot No. 1 commencing at the distance of one mile, or thereby, from
Fort Douglas;” which fort was, at the time, situate on the south side
or head of the point ; “and lot No. 24 ending at Frog Plain. Each
lot has a front of 10 chains, or 220 yards, a little more or less,
along -the said main line, except lot No. 12, which has only five
chains. The division lines between the lots are at right angles to
the main line, and are marked off towards the river by lines of
stakes. Each lot ‘is to extend to the distance of 90 chains, or
1,980 yards back from the river, so as to contain 90 English
statute acres, besides which, each lot is to have a separate piece
of wood-land, containing 10 statute acres, to be laid off on the ©
east side of the river, at any place which the Earl of Selkirk or
his agent shall consider as most suitable for the purpose. These
10 acres are to be preserved by the occupier as wood-land, and not _
to be-wsed for any other purpose. Till this wood-land be
measured and marked off, the occupiers of the aforesaid lots will

o~
44 ~ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

My reasons for being so very particular in describing
these minor points will be shown hereafter, as the subject
to which they relate develops itself.

At this meeting, an urgent application was made for
the promised minister, and again solemnly responded
to by his Lordship. At the close of its proceedings, he
named the parish ‘“ Killdonan,” a name recognised in
the colony at this day, and derived from the parish in
Sutherland whence the greater part of the settlers had
emigrated. The settlers then busied themselves in
erecting a temporary building, to serve the double
purpose of prayer-meeting and school-house, until the
minister should arrive, and a regular church be built.

The struggles of the opposition began now gradually
to cease, and the colonists set to work with heart and

be allowed to take wood for building or fire-wood from any place
most at hand on the opposite side of the river. In case of the
Jands on the opposite side of the river being laid out in lots for
settlement, the settlers in possession of the aforesaid 24 lots, shall
have the first offer of purchasing the lots opposite to their own,
and they shall not be disposed of at a cheaper rate to any stranger.

“In consideration of the hardships which the settlers have ~'

suffered, in consequence of the lawless conduct of the North-
West Company, Lord Selkirk intends to grant the aforcsaid 24
lots gratuitously, to those of the settlers who had made improve-
ments on their lands, before they were driven away from them last
year; provided always, that as soon as they have the means, they
shall pay the debts which they owe to the Earl of Selkirk, or to
the Hudson's Bay Company, for goods or provisions supplied to
them, or for other expenses incurred on their account.
(Signed) “ SELKIRK.”
“ Fort Douglas, Red River Settlement,
August, 1817.” ~

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 45

- hand; the more so as the lands were their own, free,
and for ever; still, no man yet ventured to call Red
River his home. The experienced eye of his Lordship
saw things at a glance, and so correct and unerring was
his judgment, that nothing he planned at this early date
could in after years be altered to advantage. Public
roads, by-roads, bridges, mill seats, and other important
points were settled; and then he ordered a general
survey of the colony to be made, which in due time was
completed. Having thus restored order, infused confi-
dence in the people, and given a certain aim to their
activity, Lord Selkirk took his final leave of the colony.
Accompanied by a guide and two or three attendants,
he crossed the wide and hostile plains between Red
River and St. Peter’s, from whence his journey lay
through the United States to Canada.

The industry of the settlers was amply rewarded
hy the results at harvest time; forty-fold was a common
return, ahd in one case, for a bushel of barley sown,
fifty-six were reaped; and for a bushel of seed potatoes,
145 bushels. These facts were related to the writer by
John McIntyre, an intelligent settler. Still so little
seed was sown this year, owing to the lateness of the
season when the people returned from Norway House,
and the difficulty of procuring it, that they were again
threatened with famine, unless they consumed their all,
and ruined their prospects for the next year. To avoid
this danger, they resolved, as winter approached, to resort
to Pembina again, and draw their supplies from the chase.

This alternative proved a heavier trial than it had
been heretofore, as they were less fortunate than on the

46 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

former occasion. From Pembina they had to \extend
their journey far into the open plains; dragging them-
selves and their despairing families, for days and weeks
together, through the deep snow, theirobject-being to
reach a camp of hunters, freemen, half-breeds, and Indians,
wliere they hoped to live through the winter. On such
journeys, the natives of the country are accustomed to.
travel on snow-shoes, besides which they have horses
and dogs to assist them along, and their constitutions are
hardened to the climate. Far otherwise was the case
of our poor Scotch emigrants. Accustomed in their
own country to the shelter of a house, to warm clothing,
a mild climate, domestic comforts, and domestic habits,
they and their starving families were now exposed, day
and night, to the fierce storms of a Hudson’s Bay winter,
the cold ‘at the time ranging from 35° to 40° below zero!-
Their sufferings were almost beyond human endurance,
and even at this distant day, we shudder at the painful
recollection; for many a time, when the last mouthful
was consumed, and their children crying for more, they
knew not how or where the next morsel was to come
from. A rabbit, a crow, a snow-bird, or even a piece of
parchment would be found perhaps, and thus from time to
time they kept soul and body together, with, less hope
than the Israelites in the desert. In~this condition,
they contrived to reach the camp, when the last morsel -
of their food was gone, and they were almost at their
last gasp, on the eve of Christmas Day.

The people of the camp flocked out to meet
the wretched travellers, and all were emulous to
administer to their wants. They .were received as

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 47

; friends, even by the Indians, who furnisfed them with
"shoes, and pressed them to eat. After all their trials,
and hair-breadth escapes, the wanderers indeed found a
home; but they soon discovered that among so many
mouths, provisions were not over abundant, the snews
were deep, the buffaloes far off,.and most of the hunters’
horses had died; so that every second or third day,
parties on snow-shoes had to start in pursuit of game.
The Scotch, tired and worn out, had no hunters among
them, neither had they anything to buy provisions with.
They were poor as the Indians themselves; for every
thing they could spare, every article of clothing, not on
their backs, had alreddy been bartered away to sustain
life; they had in consequence, while others were hunting,
to become the drudges of the camp, slaves of the slave,
servants of the savages. Thus, however, they were
preserved during the winter. :

On the return of: spring, and breaking up ‘of the
winter camp, the Scotch, as usual, found their way
back to the colony, to’ undérgo new trials.

The year 1818, which had now commenced, is an
eventful one in the history of the unfortunate settlers:
Food was scarce, their hitherto precarious dependence
on fish, herbs, and roots, became hopeless, for these all
failed; and their misfortunes were crowned by an act
of lawless violence on the part of the North-West, who,
forcibly carried off Mr. Sutherland to Canada. Still
they laboured earnestly to establish themselves, and
make this wilderness wear the aspect of a home, for
they had resolved on abandoning Pembina for ever.
Every step now was a progressive one: agricultural

we ©

48 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

labour advanced, the crop looked healthy and vigorous,
and promised a rich harvest. In short, hope once more
revived, and everything began to put on a thriving
and prosperous appearance: when, Jo! in the midst of all
these pleasing anticipations, just as the corn was in ear,
and the barley almost ripe, a cloud of grasshoppers
from the west darkened the air, and fell like a heavy
shower of snow on. the devoted colony. This stern
visitation happened in the last week of July, and late
one afternoon. Next morning, when the people arose.
it was not to gladness, but to sorrow; all their hopes
were in a moment blighted! Crops, gardens, and every
green herb in the settlement had perished, with the
exception of a few ears of the barley, half ripe, cleaned
‘in the women’s aprons. This sudden and unexpected
disaster was more than they could bear. The unfortu-
nate emigrants, looking up towards heaven, wept.
While the colonists were thus bemoaning their hard
fate and hopeless condition, several French families,
headed by two Catholic priests, arrived-from Canada,
and took up their abedé as settlers in the colony. One
of thdse priésts has ever since remained in the settle-
ment, and is now bishop, and head of the Catholic
Church in Red River. The arrival of these’ people only
increased the evil of the day, by adding so many more
mouths to feed; besides the grief it caused the settlers
to see them in the full enjoyment of their religion, while
selves who had borne the burden and heat of '
the“day, were wholly destitute of spiritual consolation.
Their material difficulties, however, called for fresh
exertion, and nothing now remained but to place their

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 49

hopes in Pembina again, notwithstanding the remem-
brance of their sufferings the year before. It would
be tedious to. follow them through the catalogue of
vicissitudes they had to endure, as this would only be
to repeat the story of their moral degradation, under
men whose habits and condition in life they had been
taught to despise; not to mention the endless misery of
providing for themselves and their families among
savages. ;
Early in the spring of 1819, the Scotch settlers
returned from Pembina, leaving the Canadian families
there, and’ commenced sowing; all the seed they
possessed being the few scattered heads which the
devouring grasshoppers had cut down and left, and

which had been gleaned in the women’s aprons. Much ,

pains was taken, and great efforts made in this almost
hopeless attempt, which was again defeated, not by a
new flight of the pestilence of last year, but, still
‘worse, by the countless swarms produced in the ground
itself, where their larva had been deposited. As early
as the latter end of June, the fields were overrun by
this sickening and destructive plague; hay, they were
produced in masses, two, three, and in some places, near
water, four inches deep. The water was poisoned with
them. Along the river'they were to be found in heaps,
like sea-weed, and might be shovelled with a spade. It
is impossible to describe, adequately, the desolation thus
caused. Every vegetable substance was either eaten‘up

or stripped to the bare stalk; the leaves of the bushes, .

and bark of the trees, shared the same fate; and the

grain vanished as fast as it appeared above ground,
D

p .

50 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: -

leaving no hope either of “ seed to the sower, or bread
to the eater.” Even fires, if kindled out of doors, were
immediately extinguished by them, and the decomposi-
tion of their bodies when dead, was still more .offensive
than their presence when alive.

The colony lost all its attractions as the abode of

civilized man. The Scotch, with all their patience and
perseverance, had now become impatient and discouraged
under so many disappointments, and turning their backs
on Red River, they sought a life, comparatively free
from care, at Pembina again. They now became good
hunters; they could kill buffalo; walk on snow-shoes ;
‘had trains of dogs trimmed with ribbons, bells and
feathers, in the true Indian style; and in’ other respects,
were making rapid strides towards a savage life.

The independence of this mode of life, was charming
while it lasted, but the colonists knew well how
precarious it was; and on reflection, they could not fail
to perceiye the importance of making another effort
to establish _theniselves, and secure their future comforts
on lands which they could call their own, and where
themselves and their children might find a home.

Taking this view of things, it was resolved to
despatch several men to the’ Prairie d&Chien,” a town
on the Mississippi River, ‘several: hundred miles distant
from the colony, for the purpose of bringing in a
supply of seed-wheat, an article not to be found
nearer home, The men reached their destination: on
snow-shoes,-at the end. of three months; purchased
250 bushels at 10s. per bushel; and, making their
way back in flat-bottomed boats,-arrived in the colony

4. -

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 5h

in June, 1820. The wheat thus introduced was sown,
but, being late in the season, it did not ripen well;
yet it came to sufficient perfection for seed; so that,
from that day to this, in spite of the grasshoppers and

other evils, Red River has not been without seed for -

grain. The cost of this expedition to Lord Selkirk
was 1,040/. sterling. Exclusive of the main object,
that of getting the wheat, it was satisfactory to know, that
the state of the navigation between the two countribs,
during high water, was not only practicable, but offe
every facility for future communication; as the samc
boats that ascended the Mississippi, descended the Red
River, with only one single interruption, and all returned
to the colony in safety. .

JHE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Loy)
bo

CHAPTER V.

Contents.—Scotch minister—Fruitless attempts—Conjectures—
The reproof—Strange things happen—The disappointment—
Mr. West—Missionary efforts—The disputed point—Coalition
—Happy results—Indian quarrels—Grasshoppers take flight—
Swiss emigrants — Watchmakers — Pastry-cooks— Handsome
young women—Hunger—Pembina—Beggars no choosers—The
Swiss discouraged—Comparison—High notions in’ low life—
Starvation—The silver watch—Gold eyes—The snuff-box—
The cat-fish—Hard bargain—Summing up—Perseverance of
the settlers—Bourke’s sufferings—Remarks.

Iv the. midst of all the disappointments, losses and
misfortunes which the Scotch settlers have had to
contend with since they came to Red River, none has
been so severely felt, nor so deeply regretted, as the
want of their, spiritual pastor. That source of conso-
lation tempoxfil or spiritual, which alone sweetens life
here, and cherishes hope in the hereafter, being denied
them, has embittered every other calamity.- It is a

subject that has mixed itself up with every action of:
——~their lives in Red River; it has been the daily, hourly. ~

theme of their regret; at every meeting the stibject of

deepest interest. To the present hour, application has

been made unceasingly to those in power at the colony

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 53

4 7
that they would*Wee them put in possession of their.
rights; but all to no purpose.

Mr. Sage not having come out at the period we have

reached in our history, and’ no communication being
made to the colony either by Lord Selkirk or his agent,
Mr. Pritchard, application was made time after time to
Alexander Mc Donell, who had been recently appointed
Governor of the colony, but equally without result. ’
That gentleman, himself a Papist, did not take much
interest in Presbyterian politics ; but told the Scotch, by
way of consolation, that they might live as he himself
did, without a church at all. A petition was then sent”
home to the Rev. John McDonald, minister of the
parish of Urquhart, Ross-shire, who was, well known to
them all, stating their destitute condition, and earnestly
praying him, in the event of Mr. Sage’s not coming, to
do something for them‘ in the way of getting a minister:
but the application, it is supposed, never reached its
destination, for no answer was ever returned to it.
In October of this year (1821) the disappointment
- of the settlers was aggravated, and their surprise
‘increased, by the arrival of a minister, not of their
own persuasion, as had been promised, but a missionary
of the Church of England. As nearly all the settlers
at this time were members of the Presbyterian Church,
Mr. West’s appearance was rather the signal of discord
than of consolation amongst them, and to this hour it
-~has produced-nothing-but religious strife and animosity.
Attempts at compromise all failed, as Mr. West could
not be prevailed upon to discontinue the English‘ ritual,
and the Scotch, for their part, could see no spirituality.

d+ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

in such forms; besides which, the English language
was to them a foreign tongue, and they longed to hear
their native Gaelic. Under these circumstances, Mr.
West, rather than sit idle, extended his missionary
services to the Company’s posts, and even visited the
Indians; the Scotch meanwhile being assured ‘ that
he would soon leave the colony, and be replaced by a
minister of their own. This promise has not so far
been fulfilled. Whether rightly or wrongly, we may
here observe, the blame of this whole transaction has
heen cast on Mr. Pritchard, who, it is said, took advan-
"tage of Lord Selkirk’s death, an event which happened
this year, to disobey his injunctions, and send an agent
of his own religion into the colony.

We are here reminded that the Scotch settlers, as we
stated in its proper place, had provided a temporary
meeting-house to serve them until a minister came out
and a church was built—a work finally’ accomplished
by the Scotch settlers, though Mr. West has appeared
willing to take the merit of it to himself. Speaking of
the subject in his journal, he says (page 27), “I cheer-
fully gave my hand and my heart. to perfect the work.

I expected a willing co-operation from the Scotch .

settlers; but was disappointed in my sanguine hopes of
their cheerful and persevering assistance, through their
prejudices against the English Liturgy, and the simple
rites of our communion.” Now, what is the truth?

__Mr. West_might, as he -says, have“ given cheerfully ~

his heart to perfect the work,” for that cost him nothing;
but certainly he did not give his hand. The building
was erected by the efforts of the Scotch settlers. Their

aay

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 55

money and their labour began it, and finished it, with
some assistance from the colonial authorities.

We dismiss this controversial point to notice a subject
of greater importance, which had for its object the
peace and tranquillity of the country at large; namely,
the coalition between the two great rival companies,
which took place in March 1821. This highly desirable
event brought about in its consequences the brightest
era the colony ever saw, and from which the settlers
may date, although the steps were slow, their growing
prosperity. It was the death-blow to party strife and
rivalry in trade, not in Red River only, but as far and
wide as the country extended; and we need hardly say
" that its advantages extended to the poor Indians, whose

degraded passions had been constantly inflamed with

liquor and other excesses, that at once shortened their
days, and rendered their lives but little better than a
feverish and hideous dream. Perfect tranquillity,
indeed, is not to be expected in any Indian country,

much less in a remote and isolated wilderness like Red .

River, where the savage races are perpetually at war
with each other; but certainly, the first step towards
peace must, in any case, be a good example on the part
of the whites.

To show by example what savage elements the colonists
have to deal with, and what danger they were always in
of being implicated in the quarrels of the Indians:—In

——-—- the midst -of the- present -tranquillity, a trivial circum-

stance had well nigh setgthe colony in a flame. A small .

party of the Sioux Indians had come to the settlement
on a friendly visit, and to smoke the pipe of peace with

56 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

their enemies, the Saulteaux; -after which, as is
customary on such occasions, both parties mixed
together and strolled about to see the settlers. The
Sioux were seated quietly enjoying the treat of a few
ears of Indian corn, when one of the free~-men who had
a quarrel with a Saulteaux, and feared to attack the
whites, vented his wrath on the innocent Sioux; shot
two of them, wounded a third, and Scampered off. The
Sioux, few as they were, would have given battle; -but.
as the Saulteaux were not to be found, they left“the,
colony. On their way home, however, happening to
fall in with a family of Saulteanx on the border of the
settlement, they killed and scalped them, for the two
friends they had lost. The Sioux Indians are reckoned
the most powerful and brave nation west of the
~ Rocky Mountains, and less given to acts of treachery
and cruelty than most other tribes, unless’ forced to it.
The brave are always generous, the cowardly alone are
cruel, The Saulteaux are noted, beyond most other
savages in these parts, for treachery and‘cruelty, and
gave a proof of..it on the present occasion.

To return to the affairs’ of the colonists. The
summer of 1821 proved as fruitful as could be expected,
and the grasshoppers, which some have dignified with
the name of “ locusts,” now visited the colony for the
last time. At first, it was feared the crop, as usual,
_ would be’ utterly destroyed by them, but vegetation of
every kind was abundant, and from some unexplained
cause, the whole swarm disappeared early in the season;
never, as it proved, to return to the colony again. Still,
the quantity of grain could not be over large, and it was

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. vt

deemed prudent for some-of the settlers, at least, to
resort to Pembina again, that as much as possible might
be saved for another year. The resolution had hardly
been formed, when it was rendered imperative by the
arrival of fresh emigrants, who now came from the
Cantons of Switzerland. These families were all of the
poorer class, and mostly mechanics ; among them were
watch and clock makers, pastrycooks and musicians.
The delicacy of their constitutions, being inured to a
life within doors, rendered them little fit for the hardy
employments of the husbandman, and especially in a
new settlement, with the disadvantage of a cold climate,
such as Hudson’s Bay. As to character, they must
have proved an acquisition to any community, being a
quiet, orderly, and moral people; remarkable withal for
the number of handsome young people, both lads and
lasses among them. The contrast between these honest
adventurers and the de Meurons was complete in all
respects, except in their equal unfitness and ignorance of
farming operations. Yet this did not prevent their
association for some time, as fellow Protestants, and as
they arrived, they spread themselves along the German
Creek. This neighbourly arrangement did not last long.
The character of the de Meurons, and the scarcity of food,
darkened the prospect around them; their new homes
were destitute of every charm that could win their hearts,
and all who were able to undertake the journey to
Pembina were but too glad to join the Scotch settlers ;
trusting that any change must be for the better. _
Unhappily, this year, the buffaloes were scarce, and
hard to be got, so thé poor Swiss, who had neither
dd

58 TIE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

horses nor dogs, were more dependent upon others than
themselves, and not unfrequently upon the Indians, who,
to their praise be it said, were always most ready to
alleviate misery when in their power. The Swiss
reccived such assistance with but an ill grace. Like
the Scotch, they were proud and high-minded, even in
distress, and would often run the risk of starving them-
selves and their families, rather than submit to the
degradation of asking relief from a people they so
cordially detested as the Indians. Nor was this
surprising under the circumstances. After a pursuit of
hours, sometimes days it might be, the Indian huntsman
has succeeded in killing a buffalo, and having brought
the meat home, as a matter of course, he takes his own
share first; next he supplies the wants of his relations,
and the remainder he dispénses in charity. On such
occasions, therefore, the whites were generally served
last; the Scotch, the Swiss, the Canadians, or the de
Meurons, as it might happen; sometimes much, sometimes
little falling to their share, and it might even be none at

~ all. The humiliation of being put off to.the last, and

then of begging something to eat from an Indian, was
what the Swiss‘ could not brook, simply because his
benefactor was an Indian.

After a winter thus passéd, early in the spring of
1822, the Scotch, Swiss, and de Meurons hastened
back: to rejoin their friends in the colony, and again
suffered all but z solute starvation during seed-time.
We need not rép at our oft-told tale of distress, but

; _ some, particular instances may be interesting. One of

the-Swiss gave a silver watch, value five guineas, for

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 59

eight gallons of wheat, not to sow, but to eat. Another,
for six small gold-eyes, a fish but little bigger than a
sprat, gave five shillings sterling. And one poor man,
having nothing else, gave the very snuff out of his box
for the head of a cat-fish! The sympathizing _fish-
monger, on seeing the box emptied, expressed a strong
desire to possess it, and when he found that it was
highly valued as the gift of a friend, he offered a whole
cat-fish for it. The man was in great distress, but still
loath to part with his keepsake ; he told the fellow the
box was a costly one. “It was never purchased,” said
he, “for less than a guinea.”

“That may be very true,” said the other; “ but I
would not see my family starve for the satisfaction of
carrying an empty box in my pocket, were it worth
twenty guineas.”

After much bickering and tardy hesitation, a bargain
was struck for tf catfish, and four gold-eyes along with
it! In ordinary ties the price of a cat-fish is threepence;
sixpence is a very high rate; a shilling-exorbitant. The
cat-fish is something larger than the Scotch haddock.

We have now travelled through a series of ten years
in succession; and a course of greater trials, harder
struggles, or more frequent disappointments, than fel]
to the lot of this little colony, in that eventful period,
is perhaps not to be found in the history of any new
settlement. From the first arrival of the emigrants, up
to this time, every succeeding season had left them, after
the most exhaustive efforts, just as it found them,
struggling against evils which perpetually returned
upon them. The first five years of their pilgrimage

ar ute %,

-60 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

’

and sufferings, were embittered by the enmity of the
North-West Company, the effects of which, as we have
seen, touched, not their property only, but life itself;

' the fields, till now untrodden by civilized men, being

crimsoned with their blood. The succeeding five years
‘ brought afflictions upon them from a cause not of man;
as if Providence had appointed this scourge by which
they were visited, for the express trial of their faith.
The de Meurons, the Canadians, and the Swiss, we
may remark, bore but a small share of these trials, and
never made any decided stand or effort to advance thie
colony; the Scotch, alone, had to bear the whole leat
and burden of the day. The brunt of all the difficulties,
from beginning to end, fell on them. To them the

colony, such as it is, owes its existence; aid the meed

of praise is justly due to their perseverance.

In the midst of these trying scenes, ‘many cases of
individual suffering may be supposed to have occurred,
the character of which may be illustrated by the
following:—Among the first adventurefs, after the Scotch
settlers, that were sent out to the colony by Lord
Selkirk, were some Irish lads, and a young gentleman
from Sligo, engaged as clerk. -Mr. John P. Bourke,
the person alluded to, proved himself, during the heat
of opposition, a trustworthy and faithful -servant,
industrious, active, and-as~fearless and determined as
most of his countrymen generally are. A man so
devoted to the cause of the colony, in those days, had,
as might be expected, many implacable enemies among

the partisans of the North-West Company; who, 4s »

they could neither gain him over to their cause, nor

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 61

intimidate Him by their threats, laidmany snares and
temptations in his way, which Bourke, as wily and
cautious as themselves, was at all times proof against.

In 1815, he was among the number of those who took ~
refuge at Norway House, having been previously
wounded at the colony, in a skirmish, in which one of
his companions was killed at his side. Here, his
attachment to the colony was subjected to a trial of *
another kind. The most liberal offers were made, and
promises held out which would have drawn almost any
other man from the settlement into the Company’s
service; but to no purpose. In the midst of adversity,
he stood faithful to his master’s cause, and the interest
of the colony. At length, tired of a life of inactivity,
he left his asylum, and after suffering no common hard-
ships, he reached the colony in great distress.

_In 1816, poor Bourke was still more unfortunate,

“being again wounded in the general massacre. On

this occasion, also, one of his associates was shot dead
at his side, while they were in the effort to save them-
selves by flight, and Bourke himself was indebted to the
fleetness of his horse for safety. He then lay concealed
two days and nights, weltering in his blood, without food
or water the thermometer at the time standing at 92°,
At length he was discovered, relieved, and ultimately
saved by an Indian, who not only dressed his wound,
but in other respects administered to his necessities.

He was, however, soon discovered and conveyed a
prisoner to Fort Alexander, one of North-West
Company’s posts, where he was kept in close confine-
ment. The humane privilege of dressing his wound, and

62 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

ys attendance of a doctor, though there was one on

he spot, were alike denied him in this place; from whence

he was despatched by the canoes to Fort William, 4
distance of many hundred miles. During this miserable
journey, he was made to lie on a hard wooden box,
exposed to a burning sun, ‘and the inclemency of all
weathers ; after which, on his arrival at Fort- William,
he was robbed of his trunk, clothing, and watch, and
shut up for twenty-two days in a common sewer,
water-closet, or necessary, with an allowance of food
just sufficient to preserve life. This sickening imprison-
ment he at last exchanged for a three days’ residence
in gaol, at Montreal, where, nothing being proved
against him, he was liberated.

From Montreal, Bourk@made his way back as far
as the Sault St. Mary’s, and after twenty-three days’
walking, reached Fort William in great destitution; °
but had no sooner arrived at the place of his former
sufferings, than he was arrested again, and once more
sent to Canada. He was now tried at the Court of
King’s Bench, and being acquitted, was turned adrift
on the hard and unfeeling world without means or
friends. Three miserable years passed over his head,
before he was able to rejoin his disconsolate family in
Red River.

The sufferings poor Bourke endured are felt by him
to this day. He is now labouring under the sickness
and infirmity they entailed; never since having enjoyed
perfect health, Had Lord Selkirk lived, such: endur-
ance, such devotedness to his cause, had not" passed
unrewarded. a

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 63

‘CHAPTER VI.

Coxtents.—Colony store—Lord Selkirk—Governor McDonell—
Officials, their doings—Things that ought not to be—Drunken
squabbles—-The hour-glass—A new method of keeping accounts
~—The grains of wheat—The paper-box in the corner—The
hubbub—The mélée—Partiality—Credit system—Colony work
—Trickery—Confusion—Mr. Halkett—Grievances redressed—

The guinea—The lost keys—The discovery—The papers—The
revenge-—-General remarks—Buffalo Wool Company—High
expectations—Gloomy result—Intempcrance—Mismanagement .
—The yard of cloth—Bankers rewarded—Remarks.

° How the colonists were preserved from actual starvation
and supplied with mere necessaries during this pro-
tracted period, is a question that must naturally have
presented itself to the reader’s mind. This much was
provided by the care of Lord Selkirk, who sent out
a supply of goods and clothing after the departure of the
first colonists, as well as a general assortment-of the
implements of husbandry, arms and ammunition tor
defence, and a supply of oatmeal to fall back upon in the
last extremity. The store in which these articles were
kept was erected the first year of the settlement, and
regularly supplied from time to time afterwards by
shipments from England, and during the dispersion of -

—

64 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

the settlers towards Pembina, the Supplies, when prac-
“ticable, followed them to that quarter. The direction of
this important matter was vested in the Governor of the
colony. In fact, his sole duty, for the first few years
a of his command, was to dole out these stores to the

settlers,.and_all the talent required for such a service
ee

was not greater than any petty~elerk with a_salaryof-——

Soe, 207. a year might be expected to possess. ‘Yet how was

te -this duty fulfilled by t the officials appointed by Lord
Selkirk ?

Governor Alexander McDonell, whom the people in

derision nicknamed the “ grasshopper governor,” because

“nh

he proved as great a destroyer within doors as the
a grasshoppers in the fields, prided himself in affecting the
a style of an Indian viceroy. The officials he Kept about
‘7 him resembled the court of an eastern nabob, with its

warriors, serfs, and varlets, and the names they bore
_were hardly less pompous; for here were secretaries,
assistant-secretaries, accountants, orderlies, grooms,
cooks, and butlers. This array of attendants about the
little man was supposed to lend a sort of dignity to his
position ; but his.¢ourt, like many another where show
and folly have usttped the’ place of wisdom and useful-
ness, was little more than one prolonged scene of
debauchery. From the time the puncheons of rum
reached the colony in the fall, till they were all drunk
dry, nothing was to be seen or heard about Fort
Douglas but palling, dancing, rioting, and drunkenness,
in, the barbarous spirit of those disorderly times. The
. method of keeping the reckoning on these occasions

“deserves to be noticed, were it only for its novelty. In

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 65

‘ place of having recourse to the tedious process of pen
¢ 4

and ink, the heel of a bottle was filled with wheat and

set on the cask. This contrivance ance ass in technical |

‘phraseology, called ihe heures 5 an cand for every flagon

drawn off a grain heat was taken out of

the hour-glass, and put aside till the bouse was over;
_ the nov

the grains were then counted, and the amount of
expenditure ascertained. From time to time the great
man at the head of the table would display his mode-
ration by calling out to his butler, “ Bob, how stands
the hour-glass?” “ High, your honour! high!” was
the general reply; as much as to say, they had drunk
but little yet. Like the Chinese at Lamtéchu, or a
party of Indian chiefs smoking the pipe of peace, the
challenges to empty glasses went round and round so
log as a man could keep his seat; and often the revel
ended in a general melée, which led to the suspension of
half-a-dozen officials and the postponement of business,
till another bouse had made them all friends again.
Unhappily, sober or drunk, the business they managed
was as fraudulent as it was complicated.

1. Any settler in want of a supply “from the store
first reported to the Governor, who gave him a note,

‘specifying, all the articles. This permit he took to the

head clerk, whose duty it was to see the goods delivered
and charged; by this functionary he was sent to an

. assistant, and by the assistant agairyto his deputy, who

was really the storekeeper. Even this irregular and
complicated system of routine was not incompatible

‘with eventual correctness ; but it often happened that

the segtler was sent away without the articles he

66 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

wanted, the storekeeper giving himself little trouble to
search for them. In such cases, the Governor would
listen to no appeal; the permit as written by him was
sent to the office, and every article in it, whether
delivered or not, was charged to the settler’s account.

2. It often happened, when the settler had passed’
through the greater part of this ordeal, and got to
the storekeeper with his note, that he would be desired
to leave the memorandum and call again, not once, but
se¥eral times in succession. Thus day after day would
he lost, and not unfrequently-the-note itself; in which
ease therarticles were refused. They were all the
same, however, charged to-the settler’s account. Com-!
plaints multiplied, and the system was changed ; but, as,
generally happens in such cases, from bad to worse.
Some were charged one price, and somé another, for -
the same article. One would get everything he asked,
another could obtain nothing, according as he stood
high or low in favour with the men in power.

3. To save time and expedite business after thé
arrival of supplies, the store was opened on certain days
only, and all the settlers invited to attend. As each
was sanxious to be first, the door was crowded by
hundreds of people at a time. The strongest pushed
their way to the front, and when one posse was
admitted, the door was barticaded to keep the others
out, who made arush at every opening of the door;
while favourites were quietly admitted at the windows.
Many passed days and nights without tasting food, and
weeks expired before they could procure other articles
from the store. Nor was better order kept in the office.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 67

Notes, contracts, ‘and papers of every kind, in place of
being kept-in regular files, or booked, were thrown pro-
miscuously into an open box, which lay at the end
of the counter, till called for, to be entered by the chief
clerk. Very few, indeed, were entered;--and when
called for by parties interested, none could ever be
found but such as were favourable to the officials
themselves. | ;
4, It is hardly necessary to observe, that all the
goods, clothing, implements—in short, everything what-
ever advanced to the settlers—was supplied on credit,
to be paid for eventually from the produce of the land.
This is the debt Lord Selkirk alludes to in his note of
August, 1817, as already noticed. Equally certain it
is that, under such a system, the prices charged were
exorbitant. Is it any wonder if the settlers, after
so. long a period of difficulties and disappointments,
should be deeply involved in debt? Many of them,
however, during this* unfortunate period, had been
at various times employed in what was then called
“ colony work,” such as house-building, road-making,
or tripping; and at such jobs had earned considerable
sums of money, which were to have been placed to their
credits as so much reduction of their debts; but such
was the iniquity of those entrusted with power in the
colony, that the money’in some instances was never
credited, and the colonist sought redress in vain. False
entries, erroneous statements, and over-charges, were
afterwards proved in nearly every instance; but most of
the officials had then left the country, and their correc-
ida was next to impossible: neither contracts nor

—

’

68 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

vouchers could be found. To crown all, the settlers at
the end of each’ year had been compelled to sign their
accounts as correct; for until they did so their credit was
stopped by the offended Goyernor, and necessity soon
forced them to, submit. On debts thus contracted a
further charge of five per cent. was levied as interest.
Such was the condition of affairs when Mr. Halkett,
one of Lord Selkirk’s executors, and a staunch
friend to the colony, arrived from England; to whom,
therefore, the Scotch settlers formally applied for

- redress. The Viceroy and his satellites were now called

to account; all the debts were reduced one-fifth, and
the five per cent. added yearly was struck off as a
fraudulent and illegal transaction. Lord Chief Justice
EWienborongh has laid down the rule of law with
regard to interest clearly and concisely thus: “ Interest
ought to be allowed only in cases where there is con-
tract for the payment of moneys on a certain day, or
where there has been an express promise to pay
_interest ; or where, from the course of dealing between
the parties, it may be inferred that this was their inten-
tion; or where it can be proved that the money has
been used, and interest been actually made. A note of
hand ‘or promissory note does, therefore, legally carry
interest. Tradesmen’s bills, whpre there are no special
agreements, do not.” It was then strictly ‘ordered that
all goods from England, on reaching York Factory, ~
should bear 332 per cent. on prime cost, and on arriving
in the colony 25 more; on the York cost; making 663 on
the London invoice, and no more; and that this rate
was to be the standard of price for the colony in future.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 69

There was still another system of fraud practised.
On passing through a dark and rather secluded passage
within the colony fort, Mr. Halkett observed several
private doors locked, and as he could get no satisfactory
account of what.these depositories contained, he ordered
them to be opened. He was told that the keys were
either lost ‘or mislaid, yet they were immediately pro-
duced when he ordered the doors to be burst open, and
the tabooed depositories were discovered to be filled
with stores of all kinds! The iniquity of the system
that had been” carried on was now placed beyond ques-
tion, andasyjth this discovery the last year of Governor

* McDonell’s stewardship was brought to a close. That

_ worthy, however, took ample revenge on the Scotch
settlers, by destroying or carrying off all the papers,

*whether public or private, that had been entrusted to
hin. Among the documents thus lost to the colonists
for ever were all the papers containing promises made to
them, at different times, by Lord Selkirk, in considera-
tion of their hardships, and other public documents of
value.

The fortunes of the colony were sensibly affected in
this year by a new project set on foot by the magnates
of the fur trade, who had from time to time visited the
settlement and watched its progress with some degree of
interest. The plan contemplated by these ambitious and
restless men was a joint stock concern, under the high-
sounding title of the “ Buffalo Wool Company.” The
scheme consisted of one hundred shares, of 201. each,
with provisions for remodelling and extending it at any
future'period ; its chief manager being Mr. Pritchard, a

70 THE RED. RIVER SETTLEMENT :

gentleman of considerable experience, whom we have
ulready noticed. His calculations appear to have been
all based on the supposition that wool and hides, the
staple artieles. ‘nequized; could be had for the mere
trouble of picking them’ up. The express objects of the
company were as follow:— .

1. To‘provide a substitute for wool; as it was sup-
posed, from the numbers and destructive habits of the

- wolves, that sheep could neither be raised nor preserved

in Red River, at least to any extent.

2. The substitute contemplated was the wool of the
wild buffalo, which was to be collected in the plains,
and manufactured both for the use 2 of the colonists and
for export.

3. To establish a tannery for manufacturing the
buffalo hides for domestic purposes.

It was the chairman’s belief, to quote his own words,
that “To accomplish these important ends, neither
much capital nor much skill was required ;” but others
thought very differently of the project, and were assured
that much would depend on economy and proper
management, Nevertheless, the capital, amounting to
2,000/., was no sooner placed in the bank than operations
were commenced with as much confidence as if the
mines of Potosi had been at their door. All the plain-
hunters were set in motion; the men were encouraged

to exert every nerve to procure hidés, and the women ~

to gather wool. A new impulse was thus given to
industry, but it was attended with two evils—evils
which might haye easily been foreseen. First, the wool
and ithe hides were not to be got, as stated, for the

+ tee

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 71

picking up; and, secondly, all who had previously
applied themselves to the cultivation of the soil, threw
aside the hoe and spade to join the plain-rangers. ‘The
hope of realizing gold from articles hitherto perfectly
useless, diverted the elements of civilization into the
channel of -barbarism, and substituted an uncertain
resource for ~the solid reliance of agriculture. The
hides, likewise,. Tose , in price proportionate to the
demand, and sdon cost 6s. each to the company; wool,
1s. 6d. per “pound, Still warning was not taken. Orders
were sent to England for machinery, inplements, dyes,
and skilled workmen; a superintendent, a clerk, a
storekeeper, and many others, were engaged at high
salaries ; and as nothing could be done in those palmy
days without the bottle and the glass, spirits were
imported by thé hogshead.

An establishment was formed befitting the dignity of
‘the Buffalo Wool Company. All Red River at work.
. High wages gave a high tone to the undertaking. A
second immigration of operatives consisted of curriers,
skinners, sorters, wool-dressers, teasers, and bark-~
manufacturers, of all grades, ages, and sexes. Boys
and girls advanced from 2s. 6d. to 7s. each per day ;
men had at first 7s. 6d., but they kept ascending the
scale till they reached 15s. per day. Such were the
prospects, the encouragement, the miscalculation, the
extravagance! Light come, light go! Money was
spent as if the goose that laid the golden eggs was to
live for ever. Meanwhile, provisions-became dear, and
at length scarce; for while labour obtained these high

: LN

72 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

rates at the manufactory, no one would willing] y” take
the hoe or the spade at 2s. per day. hee

Such was the state of things in full operation when
curiosity led a few disinterested persons, the ,writer
among others, to take a peep at this fool’s paradise.
Alas! what scenes of disorder! what waste, what excess
and folly! Half the people were off duty, officials as
well as others, wallowing in intemperance. One man
lying drunk here, another there; the bottle and glass
set up at every booth, and all comers invited to drink
free of cost. The hides were allowed to rot, the wool
spoiled ; the tannery proved a complete failure. In
short, besides expending their 2,000/. capital, the com-
pany found themselves indebted in the amount of
4,5001. to the Hudson’s Bay Company, who had been
their bankers. This heavy loss hung over their heads
for several years, till the honourable Company drew the
pen through it, and relieved the bankrupt Buffalo
Company from the terrors of a lawsuit. A few sam-
ples of cloth had indeed been made and sent home; but
that which cost 20. 10s. per yard in Red River, would
only fetch 4s. 6d. in England !,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 73

CHAPTER VI.

ConTEnTs.—Supply of domestic cattle—Change of system—The
lucky hit—Profitable speculation—Reciprocal advantage—Mr.
West's return—-Mr. Halkett’s reply to the Scotch settlers—-The
disappointment — Conjectures — Remarks— Pembina quarter
abandoned—People return—Governor Bulger—Hay field farm
—Mr. Laidlow—The dead toss—Spirit of the times—Causes of
failures—Farming progress—Returns—Canadian voyageurs—
The people reassemble—Census—Novelty—Mongrel squatters
—Harmony—Scene changed—People divided. -

‘Norwrrasranpine the mismanagement and failure of the

“Buffalo Wool Company, that enterprise was eventually of
great advantage to the colony, as it caused the circulation
of money, and put many of the settlers in possession of a
little capital at the right moment. A drove of some
300 head of domestic cattle had been sent to the colony on
speculation, and arriving unexpectedly at this juncture, °
were eagerly purchased at prices which amply repaid the
enterprising Americans by whom they were introduced. _ ki
Good milch cows sold as high.as 301. sterling each;
and oxen trained to work fetched 18. ahead. These,
it may be interesting to remark, were the first cattle
ever brought to the colony, with the exception of an
English bull and two cows got from the North-West
Company. The whole herd was a large-boned and fine
breed of cattle ; but were not many years in Red River

74 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

before they deteriorated in size, owing to two causes,—
the want of care, and the cold climate. ,

In 1823, Mr. West left the colony for England, and
we then cherished the fond hope that our own minister
would have been sent out, as we had been given to'under-
stand; but in place of that, we were mortified to see
another missionary of Mr. West’s creed arrive to take
his place, namely the Rev. D. T. Jones. And we might
here very naturally ask the question, what must have
been the representations“made by Mr. West to the
members of the Church Missionary Society -af“liome,
which could have induced _that ody to send out, at
$0 great an ‘expense, another ‘of it its missionaries to Red
River, a place in which he himself had not a dozen
hearers of his own communion. It could-not have been -
for the colony thal! this missionary was sent, nor could
it have been for the Indians, for neither Mr. Jones nor
any of his successors ever once visited them.

Indeed, with the exception of Mr. West himself, who
saw a few on his rambles about the Company’s posts, not
a missionary of his creed ever came here that travelled
a foot out of the settlement to see Indians. On the
whole, little as Mr: West did, he was the only Protestant
missionary who ever showed the least degree of perse-
verance beyond the colony; and had he dealt more
sparingly in scalps and romance, meddled less with other
denominations - of Christians, and\ studied the Indian
character a little better, we should\not have altogether
disliked him nor found fault with his ‘intellectual powers
as a missionary. We shall take up this part of our

- subject by and by; meantime we turn to the settlers.-

We hate recorded in its proper place the arrival of

nh
a t

Irs RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 75

several Canadian families in the colony, who were
induced by the then distracted ‘state of the country to
take up their abode at Pembina. Here they were joined
by half-br eeds, hunters, and others, with the addition
of whose numbers they formed a snug little settlement 5

so that a Catholic church was built and houses erected.
Pembina, however, was on the frontier, and as it was.

then doubtful where the international line would pass,
those at the head of affairs thought it advisable to
_ withdraw the people from that quarter, and place them
in a more central locality, where they would be better
situated both for instruction and protection. Other
arguments were not wanting in favour of the selection
of Red River for this purpose. The lands at Pembina
were too low and wet for a permanent establishment,

und at the period we have reached, there were grounds _

for believing that a rupture with the Sioux might
vecur. On the other hand, everything in the mother
colony had assumed a more favourable and more
tranquil aspect. The implacable enemy of peace and
order in the colony, we mean the North-West Company,
was no more. The grasshoppers had disappeared from
their fields ; and cattle having been introduced, the hopes
of the husbandman were revived, and it was expected
that the colony would, in the nature of things, take
root. Here, aceordiily, the little settlement at Pembina,
after five years’ occupation, found it convenient to
transfer themselves. The first to suggest the change was
Mr. Halkett, whose proposals were warmly seconded
by the new and patriotic Governor, Captain Bulger,
" who succeeded Alexander McDonell, in June 1822.

Governor Bulger was a staunch friend of peace and

76 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

order, and certainly had the. interest of the colony at
heart, He was a just and upright man, strict and
impartial. From the misrule of the times, he met with
strong opposition; but being a man of judgment and
decision, the colony for the first time began to exhibit
the character of system and regularity under his rule.
During his time the general survey of the colony was
completed. He was succeeded at the end of a year
only by Mr. Robert Pelly, a cousin of Sir John Henry
Pelly, Baronet, who was at that period Governor of
the Hudson’s Bay Company in London.*

* Mr. Robert Pelly, who had a slight dash of pomp and vanity in
his composition, was at the same time a quiet and easy sort of
person, and by no means well qualified to reconcile the conflicting
interests in the colony, or to govern the heterogeneous mass of
which its population was at this time composed, as the following
example of his judicial wisdom will sufficiently testify :—In the
spring of 1824, the Saulteaux formed a party of some 300 or 400
men, with the view of making an inroad upon the neighbouring
country of their hereditary enemies, the Sioux; but they had not
proceeded far when it was found necessary to hold a council of war,
at which it was decided to abandon the enterprise. The party,
therefore, prudently determined on returning home, with the
exception of about 20 braves, who were determined to do some-
thing to retrieve the character of the Saulteanx as warriors. This
small band, after prowling about the borders of the enemy's
country, found neither man, woman, nor child upon whom they
could wreak their vengeance. In this emergency, one of their
band, determined not to return without a scalp, murdered a poor
old woman of his own tribe, whom he found unprotected within
the limits of the colony, and, taking her scalp, passed it off as a
trophy of his prowess in the Sioux country. This savage deed
was soon noised abroad, and the public voice was loud for bringing
the murderer to punishment. At length, therefore, he was
brought before the Governor, who was attended. on the occasion by

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 77

One part of Lord Selkirk’s original plan was to
~ establish an experimental farm and dairy, which, it was
‘hoped, would supply the people with seed, and in times

of scarcity with bread. The “ Hay Field Farm,” as it
was called, was entrusted to the management of a Scotch
farmer, named Laidlow, a person of considerable
- agricultural experience, who had come to the colony
for the purpose; but in this, as in every other attempt
to benefit the colony in those early days, mismanagement,
disappointment, and ruin, were the only result. A farm
on a large scale was got in train, with men and maid-
servants not a few, most of whom were sober, industrious
persons of good character, and had a fair knowledge of
farming operations. Barns, yards, parks, and houses of
every description, were provided; and yet all the time
there was not an ox to plough, nor a cow to milk in the
settlement. To crown the folly and extravagance of the
undertaking, a mansion befitting a-peer was built at an
expense of 600/., which, at the moment of completion,
was accidentally burnt to ashes in a drunken frolic. After
several years’ labour, waste, and extravagance, every
some of his officials, so as to form a little court. Having listened
with attention to the charge, this sapient gentleman, judging it less
troublesome to overlook the crime than to punish the murderer,
transferred the case to a higher and a more impartial tribunal than
his own in these words :—‘ Tell him,” said- he to the interpreter,
“ that he has manifested a disposition subversive of all order, and
that if he should not be punished in this world, he is sure to be
punished in the next.” The murderer was accordingly discharged,
and felt pleased to incur the risk of future punishment in order to
avoid the present ; while, at the same time, he expressed the most

profound contempt for the Governor's sense of justice and for his
decision.

78 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

vestige of property on the farm had disappeared, the
experiment having cost Lord Selkirk 2,000/.

In contrast with the failurg of the model farm we may
here notice the success which followed the introduction
of cattle last summer, as mentioned at the beginning of
this chapter. The plough was now tried with consider-
able success; sixty-eight returns from wheat, after the
hoe, and forty-four from the plough, were the average
reward of the husbandman. The first really fair crop
of grain was thus reaped in Red River by the Scotch
settlers, after a protracted struggle of twelve years.

The fusion of the Pembina settlers with the colonists
of Red River, was productive of a singular result.

« hat event threw a number of French Canadians and

others out of voyaging employment, who now came
with their Indian families to the colony, in preference to
going to their own countries. All the scattered and
wandering parties connected with the emigrants were by
this circumstance at length assembled together ; here,
therefore, were the Scotch, the de Meurons, the simple
Switzers, and the Canadians, besides a number of retired
servants, making in all about 1,500 souls. There
was still an outside class called freemen, of different
countries, who clung more or less to their former habits,
and for a long time seemed unable to decide between
the charms of a savage and a civilized life. During the
arduous struggle of the preceding years, these people
had stood aloof, and allowed the helpless “emigrants to
fight their own battles; but as soon as they had, by
dint of perseverance, effected a permanent settlement,
they began one by one to yield themselves to its
attractions. Thus the already miscellaneous population

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 79°

of the colony was, we can hardly say reinforced, by a
band of wanderers, who had long since lost all relish for
habits of industry, and the pursuits of civilized life,
whose countenances were a sufficient proof of their
degradation, and who, but for.a slight difference of tint
in the colour of the skin, were marked by no character-
istics to prove that they had once been white men.

On approaching the settlement, these new comers
squat themselves down, not to cultivate the soil, or
betake themselves to habits of industry among their
countrymen; but with a shy countenance .of mistrust,
peculiar to Indians, they camp in the woods for the
purpose of hunting, or, for the sake of fishing, locate
themselves on the banks of the river, like the aborigines
of the country. They have as little regard for the
principles of religion as for the usages of civilized
society; and men with hoary heads may be seen
occupying the hours of the Sabbath in the brushwood,
making arrows for their children, it may be, or con~
triving some new adornment for their own persons.
They are generally great talkers, have long yarns to
tell, and are not over scrupulous in their narrations,
which are made up of an almost unintelligible jargon of
the English, French and Indian languages. ~ While the
old men thus saunter about in idleness, the young are
not slow to follow the example thus set before them.
The boys with bow and arrow, the girls with basket
and berries, are alike permitted to grow up in ignorance
and thoughtless levity—a perfect model of savage life
and; manners, taught them by their wandering and
degenerate parents. Such habits, believe it who will,
shed a baneful influence over European children, who

80 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

mix among them. So degenerate i is our nature, and so
powerful the force of example, that the amalgamation
: deteriorates us, without improving them. Curiosity
soon leads a civilized boy to handle the bow, shoot an -
arrow, and stick a feather in his cap; but it is a far
more difficult task, almost a hopeless one, to accustom
the children of the wilderness to the use of. the hoe, the
spade, or the plough; even after they have been made
to taste of the fruits arising from industry. Civilized
habits are altogether out of the question with people
habituated to Indian habits. In these respects, there is
hardly a line of demarcation to be traced between
the pure savage and the freeman whose mode of life
we have depicted. In justice we ought to add that our
remarks chiefly apply to the Canadian class, or those ~
who are illiterate; for it is matter of general remark,
among people in this country, that the educated, either
of high or of low life, more frequently improve them-
selves in the trade, than lose what they had once
acquired—aunless, as sometimes happens, they abandon
society, and associate with the Indians.

We have now seen all the different classes of which
this infant colony was composed brought together.
The better to advance each other’s interest, as well as
for mutual support, all sects and creeds associated
together indiscriminately, and were united like members
of the same family, in peace, charity, and good fellow-
ship. This state of things lasted till the Churchmen
began to feel uneasy, and the Catholics grew jealous; so
that projects were set on foot to separate the tares from
the wheat. Whatever reason. might be urged for this divi-
sion in a religious point of view, it was, politically con-

vay

TTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. . 81

sidered, an ill-judged step; yet the measure was carried,
and the separation took place, inflicting a wound which
has never been healed to this day: The Scotch, as a
matter of course, remained as they were, on their own
lands in the centre of the colony;-the French of all
grades were located in one parish, up the main river;
and the half-breeds, under Mr. Grant their chief, were
settled some twenty miles up the Assiniboine, at a place
called “ White Horse Plains;” the Forks being the
common centre of the three grand divisions. Each of
these sections had its religious instructor: the French
and half-breeds, their priests; but the Rev. Mr. Jones
was the only officiating clergyman among the Europeans;
although he belonged to the English, and they to the
Scotch church. It was rather anomalous to see, in this
section of the colony, an English clergyman without a
congregation of his own creed, and a Scotch congrega-
tion without a minister; yet such was the state of
things in the settlement at this time.

From these original causes, party spirit and political
strife has been gaining ground ever since. The
Canadians became jealous of the Scotch, the half
breeds of both; and their separatednterests as agricul-
turists, voyageurs, or hunters, had little tendency to
unite them. At length, indeed, the Canadians and
half-breeds came to a good understanding with each

_ other; leaving then but two parties, the Scotch and the

French. Between these, although there is, and always
has been, a fair. ir show of mutual good feeling, anything
like cordiality in a common sentiment seemed impossible ;
and they remain, till this day, politically divided.
E5

Via

82 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER VIII.

Coxtents.—Second importation of cattle-~Enlivening scenes—
Encouraging progress—The unscrupulous visitors—Feathered
heads—Fishing and hunting occupations—The ways and doings
of Baptiste L’Esprit—Summer adyentures— Winter trip to the
plains—The industrious rib—People calling themselves Chris-
tians—Assiniboine trip—New scenes— Pipe -habits — Tobacco
and tea—Flammond and his family—-The happy couple—The
people's mode of life—Tea-drinking in Red River—Tea-
drinking in Koondoz—The Uzbeks—The delicious compound
—The mice. ~

In 1825, another arrival of cattle from the United
States gladdened the settlers’ hearts, and gave fresh
impetus to their exertions; but, unfortunately for the
Yankee drovers, there had been no Buffalo Wool Com-
pany to lessen’by its extravagant operations the value of
money. The present supply sold for less than a third of
the former prices. Good milch cows were now pur-
chased for 61. each, and the largest trained oxen were
got for 201. the pair; some of the latter, indeed, as low
as 141. The speculation cleared itself, but the profits
made could hardly be regarded as a fair return for the
hazard of the undertaking.

These were the last cattle sent from the United

“

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 83

States, and already the first drove had multiplied so
fast as to afford hope that the colony would soon be
independent in that respect. No country can produce
finer heifers, of one or two years old, than Red River;
but after that age they grow but little, and the cows in
particular are seldom large, which is attributed to their
breeding too young. They have their first calf almost
invariably before they are two years old, and frequently

the second before they are three. But if they dimi- —*,.”
nished in size, they increased fast in numbers. How- ..

cheering it was to behold the numerous small bands of
domestic cattle that enlivened the plains so lately
swarming with the wild buffalo, only those can say
who, like the writer, have watched the savage aspect of
things daily, hourly, yielding to the more genial fruits of
civilization! .

In addition to these cheering prospects, this year was
one of great enterprise among the colonists. No less
than forty-two new houses had been built within a few
months. Strings of fencing were made, enclosures
formed, and a stirring industry manifested on every
side. It was curious to see such scenes diversified by
the intrusion of armed bands of savages, their heads
barbarously feathered, parading fantastically among the
industrious and plodding settlers, and looking down
with an eye.of contempt and scorn on the slow drudgery
of the white man, whose comforts they, nevertheless,
envied,

Hitherto our theme has been the trials, hardships,
and misfortunes of the Scotch settlers; but having now
seen their prospects change for the better, we may here

84 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

bestow a few words upon the frequenters of the plains,
commonly called the half-breeds of Red River, a class -
we shall have frequent occasion to notice. We ought
_ to remark, by the way, how far this appellation is from
expressing the truth, as not a tenth part of their number
really belong to Red River, although they have from
choice made it the land of their adoption. Hither, in
fact, have flocked the half-breeds from all quarters east
of the rocky mountain ridge, making the colony their
great rendezvous and nursing place; while their restless
habits lead them from place to place, from cainp to
camp, from the colony to the plains, and from the plains
to the colony, like wandering Arabs, or the more restless
Mamelukes, wherever hunting or fishing hold out to
them a precarious subsistence. To do them justice,
however, we ought to remark that, like other com-
taunities, they are distinguishable into several classes.
Some are respectable in their habits; others as impro-
vident as the savages themselves: but the chief depen-
dence of all is upon buffalo hunting or fishing. The
boundless prairies, therefore, have attractions for them,
which the settled habits and domestic comforts of the
industrious farmer can never hope to rival in their
estimation. Pe
These huntsmen resort annually to the plains, where
the buffalo abounds, and generally go the journey in
carts, The number composing these caravans has been
of late years about 350; but they are on the ‘increase.
An account of their expeditions, and other interesting
particulars, we reserve for distinct treatment. It is only
the more wealthy or venturesome class of which we

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 85

heresspeak as huntsmen—the best of those called by the
general name of half-breeds. A second and inferior
class of the same people resort to the lakes, and live by
fishing, as precariously as their betters, but at the
same time less expensively. In the lakes Winipeg and
Manetobah, at the door of the colony, any quantities of
the rich and finely-flavoured Titameg, or white fish, may
be caught; yet, as in farming and in hunting, much
depends on the season. The Titameg, for instance, aré
only to be got in great plenty during the autumn, and
at certain places; and with every advantage of place
and time, a gale of wind may visit the fisherman with
total ruin. As many as fifty-four nets were lost in a
single night on one occasion, the whole dependence of
twenty-one families through the dreary winter, who
were consequently reduced to a state of starvation.
Their ruin was complete, for the very nets thus lost had
to be paid for with the produce of their fishing efforts at
the time.

Exclusive of the huntsmen and fishers, who, with all
their improvidence;-are somewhat regular in their pur-
suits, there is yet a third class of these half-breeds
deserving of notice, whose numbers are by no means
inconsiderable. The lowest or hopeless class, as we are
disposed to term them, consist of people extremely poor,
chiefly half-breeds, of all ages and sexes, orphans and
others, who from time to time have found their way
here from the four quarters of Rupert’s Land, without
friends, means, or habits of industry. They are ever a
burden either upon the settlement or their associates.
They dog the plain-hunters, follow the fishmongers, and

86 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

exhibit all the characteristics of pauperism in a land
without poor-laws to support a pauper class. They
follow no regular calling or profession, ME so much as
that of the gipsies or tinkers; but live by chance as
they best can. ‘To illustrate the character of these
people, we select a living example in the person of
Baptiste lEsprit, whose adventures through the year
will serve as a portraiture of the whole class.

On the approach of spring, Baptiste, poor fellow, tired
of the settlement, and fond of change,’ wishes to sce the
plains, still more anxious to see the buffalo; but is in
want of everything—has nothing’ of his‘own. Wishes
to make you believe he is the most honest in the world.
Wishes you to trust him, to try him once more; is anxious
to borrow, to get his supplies on trust. Promises every-
thing. Tries one; tries him this way, that way, and the
other way, tries him every way, but is refused; yet the
smile of confidence is never off his countenance while in
the supplicating mood. Nor is it an easy task to resist
importunities so urgent, and particularly when enforced
by an object of poverty; yet Baptiste is refused. But
he is accustomed to refusals; such things never dis- .
conrage him. Baptiste tries another, and another, but-
with no better success. Unfortunately for Baptiste, his
character is known. Nevertheless, Baptiste, still con-
fident in his own cause, tries another; accustomed to
persevere, tries again, and again; and at last, by dint
of importunities and fair promises, gets a horse to hire
from one, a cart from another; but Baptiste having
nothing of his own, the risk is great, so the price must
be, in proportion to the risk. A man of means gets 4

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 87

horse and cart for 21. a trip, but Baptiste promises 4J.
The temptation is great; Baptiste gets the horse and
cart. His present wants supplied, is all he cares for.
But Baptiste is in want of ammunition, is in want of
everything else, as well as a horse and cart. Baptiste is
at it again. ‘Tries one, tries two, tries a dozen, at last
“succeeds: the rogue and the fool meet. But Baptiste
wants many things yet—has neither axe-nor knife; and
this fact the reader must always bear in mind—that
Baptiste has nothing himself. Baptiste wants clothing,
something from the -merchant as well as the settler.
Himself and family are naked. Baptiste sets out again ;
calls here, calls there, at this shop, at that shop, travels
up, travels down, nothing discouraged; gets in-the mer-~
chant’s book. After a month’s preparation, and before
Baptiste is half ready, the time for starting arrives.
The others are off; Baptiste must start too, ready or not
ready.
_ At this stage of things all Baptiste’s preparations
hang on a hair: he must go or all is lost; but to go
without something to eat is impossible. Charity steps
forward, for the hand of charity is liberal in Red River.
A day after the rest, off goes Baptiste, helter skelter,
with his horse and part of his family.; but if no horse, as
frequently happens, they tramp it on foot, for to the
buffalo they must get, cost what it will, Neck or
nothing, Fifteen days’ anxious travel, and 180 miles
behind him, Baptiste gets to the buffalo. Glorious
sight! But here all is bustle; no one idle but himself,
What is he to do? No runner, no, hunter himself: .
Baptiste goes to one, goes to another; waits many days.

88 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

The dogs eat, but Baptiste starves in the middle of
_ plenty; asks, begs, lounges about, but shows no dis-
position to assist any one. Baptiste is above working—
cannot work. Sympathy steps forward: Baptiste must
not starve. Gets a piece from one, some from another.
Baptiste eats, but cannot make provisions; has no
servants; himself indolent, his family still more so.
They can do nothing. The meat spoils; but although
Baptiste cannot work, he can eat; eats heartily, lives well
on the charity of others, and that is all he cares about.
Days pass, weeks pass, the summer passes: Baptiste
eats, sleeps, smokes, and all is right—but no load;
nothing to pay the hire of his horse and cart: the busy
scenes of the camp pass unheeded by him. No effort
made. Late and early every one is at work. Baptiste
alone is idle ; but consoles himself by saying, “ It is time
enough yet.” Beforé he looks about him, the hunters
are loaded. Baptiste alone thinks it is time enough yet,
till time is no longer. A move is made for home.
_ Baptiste is aroused from his apathy; his cart is still
empty; begins now.to bestir himself; goes round, asks
one, asks two, asks this one, asks that one, asks every-
one for something to put in-his cart; promises this,
that, and the other thing; but the people were shy, but
Baptiste was not to be discouraged, did not slacken in
- his importunities; they upbraided him for his indolence,
rejected his promises. The prairie is a place of activity,
industry, and perseverance. The half-breeds are gene-
rous ; but Baptiste is no favourite; nevertheless, he could
sing a good song, tell a good story; some pity his family;
charity stretches forth her hand, and now the cart is

Sa
a

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 89

loaded in a trice; Baptiste, the while, as proud as if he had
done all himself, quite satisfied, happy as happy could be.
After a six aveeks’ jaunt, the last to start, the last to
camp, yet Baptiste, fat as a seal, and sleek as an Esqui-
maux, arrives to resume the delicious enjoyment of
indolence again.

During Baptiste’s adventure to the plains, his wife
_ remains at home. It sometimes happens, however, that
both go; happens also that the wife goes, and Baptiste
remains at home; but this year she remained at home.
Let us now see how this industrious rib passed her
summer. Pretty much as her cher mari—to very little
purpose; basking herself on the sunny banks of Red
River, smoking- her pipe, promenading among her
neighbours, and watching a hook;and line for her com-
fort. This industrious helpmate makes shift, with the
aid of the hoe, to put down a few grains of Indian corn, .
and sometimes a few seed potatoes also, which, in spite-of
all, will grow to maturity, and then the binds destroy the ,
one, the cattle devour the other, for want of care; but
_ misfortunes will happen. soon as Baptiste_arrives.~
with the produce of his buffalo adventure, he sits down,
smokes his pipe, then unloads his pony, and tells the
story of his journey. Is highly pleased with the trip;
praises his own industry and success. “ Look,” says he
to his wife, “look at this piece, look at that piece,” |
turning them over and over at the same time. His wife ° ;
is charmed; counts his profits. “ There is enoughto
pay all,” so the point is now settled, and they enjoy
themselves; a day, a week passes; but not a word
about paying off debts! till the load gets nearly expended:

90 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

then they begin to reflect. Madam is consulted, and the
distribution of the plain speculation commences; but -
commences a day after the fare. This piece is laid aside
for a new gown to madam, that piece for a shawl; so
much for tea, so much for tobacco, the two great
luxuries of Red River; a bit to this gossip, a bit to that
gossip. Madam has her cronies. “ This man,” says
she, “ helped me with my crop,” a bit to him, a bit to
some one else. Then there must be a merry let-out.
Friends are invited, a feast given, the last morceau dis-
appears. The load is gone. But here Baptiste, for the
first time, thinks of the borrowed “horse, the borrowed
cart, the many generous friends who supplied him at
starting. ‘ We must,” says Baptiste, “ pay something;
a little to this one, a little to that one, we owe here, we
owe there.” The wife is again consulted. A consulta-*
tion is held. The happy couple reason the matter over
and over. The piece put aside for the new gown is cut
in two; half goes for the horse, half for present use.
“ We can do no more now,” said the wife. To this
Baptiste adds, “ Amen. But we will pay all the next
trip.” The reader is desired to remember the words,
“next trip.” The new shawl, the tea, tobacco, and
other etceteras, are attended to, and the gossips and
cronies are not forgotten. After another consultation,
Baptiste, with the half piece, value 10s., the eighth of
what he had promised, goes to settle with the owner of
the horse, finds him, hangs down his head, is silent for
-some time, at last looks up with a sorrowful counte-
nance, tells a pitiful story, and a very different story
from the one he told his wife. “I have been unfor-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 91

tunate,” said he; “ I had bad luck, my horse was sick,
I broke my cart in the plains. Most of my provisions
T lost in crossing a river. After a hard summer’s
labour, I had scarcely a mouthful for my own family.
Brought nothing home; my cart was empty. Ask my
comrades: they will confirm the truth of my statement.
Here,” said Baptiste, holding up the half piece in his
hand, “ this is all I can give you now;” but Baptiste
YEsprit never cheated anybody—* if you lend me the
horse for next trip, I will pay you all honestly. The
prospects before me are good; fear not, I will pay you
more than you expect.” Sympathy for poor Baptiste’s
misfortunes, and a desire to be paid next trip, had their
due weight. The too credulous lender believed Baptiste,
believed all, and was deceived. Lent him the horse
again. The rogue and the fool shook hands, and the
last trip was like the first, with this only difference, that ,
the debt was doubled, and the disappointment more
complete. Falsehood often resembles truth in appear-
ance, so has fiction the appearance of reality; but we
are not dealing either in romance or fiction—what we
have stated is a true picture of real life as it is in Red
River: the, way the borrower serves the lender, the way
the settlers are duped and tricked by such people as
Baptiste Esprit. The working of a bad system ruins a
people.

But we are not done with Baptiste yet: this is the
case in successful years; but every year is not a suc-
cessful one, for it not unfrequently happens that Baptiste
arrives without either horse or provisions, the friendly
Indians having relieved him of both. In this case, too,

te “

cares

92 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

the lender pays the piper. Baptiste, however, accus-
tomed to drag the chain of misfortune, drinks the bitter
cup of disappointment with all the sang froid of a philo-
sopher. When nothing remains but hope, Baptiste picks
up his smoking-bag, lights his pipe, and on foot com-
mences his journey homeward. The enemy is seen on
every hill; Baptiste is on the alert. Hides in the day,
walks during the night, yet is happy in distress. Dares
not shoot to satisfy the pangs of hunger, for the savages

‘must not be apprised. His life is at stake. Goes days
‘without water, nights without sleep, and weeks without
shoes. Dreams of plenty, but awakens to remove the
delusion; knows no better condition; is happy in
adversity. Baptiste reaches home, and takes as much
pleasure in recounting his perilous adventures as any
other man would in detailing the result of a prosperous
trip. ,

At home, Baptiste joins his industrious spouse in the
business of fishing, in which occupation the time is
spent as cheerfully in the magic circle of a few piscatory
friends as if nothing had happened. Losses and crosses
are familiar to him. Never troubles his head about the
welfare of society: a firm believer in predestination,
he never repines at his lot; never looks beyond self. At
length the advanced state of the season reminds him
that hoary winter is before him. Baptiste now begins,
for the first time, to think how or where he is to pass
the winter. He resolves, and resolves again, and as
often hesitates, till the proper season for either fishing
or hunting slips by. At length decides on betaking
himself to labour among the inhabitants; regrets his

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 93

choice, thinks otherwise. Madam remarks, “ Fishing is
easier than labour.” Baptiste thinks so too, and the
happy couple resolve accordingly. Manetobah Lake,
as a fishing place, is fixed upon; but here it occurs to
them, that the season is too late for Manetobah. Thinks
Lake Winipeg is better, because it is nearer. Winipeg
is in turn resolved upon. They hesitate again; come to
adead stand. At last, both agree that buffalo meat is
preferable to fish. Turn road: buffalo is resolved
upon. And here Baptiste flatters himself with the
idea, that he will have better luck in winter than he had
in summer. This resolution gratifies their senses,
gratifies their appetites. The moral obligation is
fulfilled; thus they reason, and all is right. So off sets
Baptiste and family, late in the fall, to the plains, to pass
the winter among the Indians, among the buffalo; but
after some twenty days’ sore travel, finds to his misfor-
tune, what he might have found long before, that the
season is too far spent; the buffalo too far off. “They
stop short, have not a mouthful to eat, fierce winter
overtakes them, famine is around them. They resolve,
and re-resolve, and at last resolve to turn back, eat their
dogs, eat their shoes. Life is sweet ; Baptiste makes for
the settlement, arrives more dead than alive, tells his’
tale of woe. Sympathy is awake, his family are sent
for, two already dead, the rest arrive, objects of charity.
The benevolent feed them, nurse them, take care of
them. But this is not all; spring arrives, and as every
returning year brings new events to pass, Baptiste
thinks those events will be favourable to him. The
experience of the past has no influence on him. Bap-

94 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

tiste as anxious as ever about the plains. But this
light we may see ‘through the darkness of futurity.
The future will be what the past has been, a chequered
scene, a mixture of good and had in this life. But
Baptiste never troubles himself,about events nor results,
so to the plains he goes, and pursues the same path of
reckless folly, nor need we wonder that the same results
follow.

Among the class illustrated by this character, are to
be seen many of the old voyageurs, and other waifs and
strays of society, as well as the half-breeds, of which it
is chiefly composed. They pretend to the character of
civilized men, call themselves Christians, and occasion-
ally frequent the church. In all else they are no
better, than vagrant savages. Wherever night overtakes
them, they are at home. They camp in the open plains,
in the woods, among the rocks, and along rivers and
lakes, All places are alike to them in the pilgrimage
of life. They are notorious tobacco-smokers, and when
their means will allow them the luxury, still more
notorious tea-drinkers.

The writer was once travelling with a friend on the
banks of the Assiniboine, having secured the services of
Baptiste Esprit as guide, who on approaching a bluff of
wood one morning, introduced us into a small log hut
built on the verge of the wvod, and occupied by a
family of four ‘persons, his friends. Mr. and Mrs.
Flammond, the parent couple, with a little girl about
four years of age, were squatted gipsy-like in one
corner of the dwelling, which had neither table, chair,
nor stool, to render it tolerable. In another corner was

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 95

sleeping a grown-up young woman, having before her
bed two large pieces of bark to serve as curtains;
while other parts of the floor were occupied by four
men sleeping two and two, wayfarers, like ourselves,
who had found shelter there the night before, and had
not yet risen.

The rain, which had driven us hither for shelter, beat
through the log walls, driven by the wind, which
presently carried away part of the roof, and in a short
time we stood ankle deep in water. The sleepers were
now roused, and in’ the midst of the bustle that ensued,
plash, plash, across the floor went the little four years’
child, to light her mother’s pipe at a chimney in the
corner. Having returned with the pipe, she began to
suck the breast of her mother; but if this surprised us
in a child of that age, how greatly was our astonishment
increased. wpe she began to cry for the pipe, which was
actually filled and lighted again for her use!

After smoking heartily, the child presented the pipe
to her father, by whom it was passed to the mother, and
from the mother back to the little girl, who still filled
up the intervals by sucking. The child was quite an
adept in the art, and we ought not to omit that the lady
with the bark curtains was supplied with a pipe before
she performed her toilet.

Having received a hint, while the kettle was boiling,
that the family were “just out of tea,” we presented
them with some, which, being prepared, was handed
round in birchen cups, in genuine Indian fashion; cup
after cup, and kettle after kettle was supplied, till the half
pound was gone, and a wistful look for more: but not a

96 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

mouthful of anything to eat was forthcoming; the only
food which the family Had tasted in three days, being
two gold-eyes. In short, we supplied them with food
as well as drink; and were amply repaid for all we
gave, by the romantic and chequered history they
related to us in their own quaint phraseology, spiced
with abundant drollery and good humour. The Flam-
- monds were a happy family. Apropos of tea-drinking,
the- old lady remarked, “We passed a fine winter
among the Assiniboine. We were twenty-three
families, made buffalo robes, dressed leather, and. pre-
pared provisions, the whole winter: all of which we sold
for tea as soon as earned. The seven opposition traders
told us in the spring, that we had drank twenty-five
chests!” These people emulate each other in making
the blackest and bitterest tea.
Lieutenant Burnes, in his travels into Bokhara, gives
a curious account of tea-drinking in Koondoz:—
_ “Nothing,” says that intelligent observer, “is done in
this country without tea, which is \handed round at
all times and hours, and gives a social character to
conversation, which is very agreeable. | The Uzbeks
drink their tea with salt instead of sugar,/and sometimes
with fat; the leaves of the pot are then divided among
the party, and chewed like tobacco.” Bad as Red
River habits may be, the people here neither use salt
nor fat, nor do they chew the article. Probably it
would be an improvement were they to mix the tea and
tobacco together; and we have no doubt, but time and
habit Would soon make it a favourite and—delicious
compound. ‘Tea is so loved that it will even purchase

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 97

their chastity, which is nevertheless proof against many
other temptations. Its magic power is like that of
money in other countries. ~

During the autumn of this year, the colony became
infested with a new enemy, hitherto unnoticed. The
mice, like the grasshoppers, devoured everything; the
grain after being stacked, was almost totally destroyed
by them. The straw, the very stubble itself, was cut to
atoms; the fields, the woods, and the plains, seemed
literally alive with the new and troublesome visitors,
whose appearance threatened the settlement with another *
great calamity.

98 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER IX.

Contents.—Hunters and their habits—Rumours—Visit Pembina
—Reports confirmed—Steps taken—Hudson’s Bay Company—
Sympathy—The fatal snow-storm—Train of disasters—Woman
and child—Human misery—Lives lost—Cling to old habits—
Hunters relieved—Colonists in distress—Gloomy scenes—
Sudden rise in the water—Settlers abandon their houses—The
river becomes a lake—Property adrift— Floating spectacle—
Waterfall—Prices rise—Settlers return —Colloquies—Dis-
couraging scenes—The man and his two oxen—Honest fellows
—Precarious times—Cattle diminish—-De Meurons—Cause of
the high water—The question answered — More fioods
than one—Features—Indications—Shores of Hudson's Bay--
Phenomenon. ~

We are now brought, in the regular course of our
history, to the disastrous year 1826, one of the most
fatal, both as to life and property, that ever befell Red
River. The incidents we have to relate will further
illustrate the habits of the class to which Baptiste, in
the preceding chapter, belongs; and of the half-breeds
generally who depend on buffalo-hunting in the plains,
for their subsistence. We must premise that the hunters
make two trips to the plains annually; the proceeds of
the first are always sold off to supply their wants in

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 99

clothing and other necessaries for the year, but the second
furnishes their winter stock of food; and when it fails,
crowds of these people resort to the plains, generally
to pass a wretched winter among the Indians; such as
we have noticed, in reference to the abode of the
Scotch settlers at the same place.

As early as the month of January this year, flying
reports had reached the colony, that the hunters who
had gone to the plains were starving; but such
reports being common in these parts, and as often false
as true, they passed for some time unheeded. About
the middle of February, however, business led the
writer to Pembina, where he found ample verification of
the reports, and had the satisfaction of assisting in
the benevolent efforts of Mr. Mc Dermot, who was
actively engaged in administering to the wants of the
sufferers. Having communicated with Mr. Donald Mc
Kenzie who was, at the same time, Governor of the
colony and the Company’s Chargé d’affaires at Fort
Garry, that gentleman -took immediate steps for their
relief, by sending off party after party, with provisions
and clothing. At this trying moment, in fact, all
depended on’ the officers of the Hudson’s Bay Com-
pany; and even with all the assistance they could
command, the difficulties were almost insuperable.
The distance the sufferers were, even beyond Pembina,
was from 150 to 200 miles, and the only practicable
mode of conveyance, owing to the deep snows, was by
means of dogs, so that the labour was great, the task a
tedious and difficult one; but everything was done that
either man or beast could do, and such despatch and

100 HE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

diligence used, that it was the means of saving hundreds
of the people’s lives. : Private individuals likewise contri-
buted. Sympathy for the plain hunters was universal.
Everyone lent a willing hand. :

The disaster began in December. About the 20th of
that month, there was a fearful snow-storm, such as had
not been witnessed for years. This storm, which lasted
several days, drove the buffalo: beyond the hunters’
reach, and killed most of their horses; but what.greatly
increased the evil, was the suddenness of the visitation.
: As the animals disappeared almost instantaneously, no
one was prepared for the inevitable famine that followed ;
the hunters, at the same time, were so scattered, that
they could render each other no assistance, nor could ©
they so much as discover each other’s whereabouts.
Some were never found. Families here, and families
there, despairing of life, huddled themselves together

for warmth, and, in too many cases, their shelter proved
their grave. At first, the heat of their bodies melted
the snow; they became wet, and being without food
or fuel, the cold soon penetrated, and in several instances,
froze the whole into a body of solid ice. Some, again,
were found in a state of wild delirium, frantic, mad;
while others were picked up, one here, and one there,
frozen to death, in their fruitless attempts to reach
Pembina—some half way, some more, some less; one
woman was found with an infant on her back, within a .
quarter of a mile of Pembina. This poor creature must
have travelled, at the least, 125 miles, in three days
and nights, till she sunk at last in the too unequal
struggle for life. f -

aaa tne 4 xs

Ve yan

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, J AND PRESENT STATE. 101

Those that were found alive had devoured their
horses, their dogs, raw hides, leather, and their very
shoes. So great were their sufferings, that some died
on their road to the colony, after being relieved at
Pembina; the writer passed two who were scarcely yet
cold, and saw forty-two others, in seven or eight
parties, crawling along with great difficulty, to the
most reduced_of whom. he was, by good fortune, able to

reduced of
givea mouthful of-bread~ At last, with much labour and
anxiety, the survivors were conveyed to the settlement,
to be theré supplied with the comforts they so much
needed, and which, but a few weeks before, they affected
to despise! But the sufferings of some, who can tell?
One'man, with his wife and three children, were dug
out of the snow, where they had been buried for five
days and five nights—without food, fire, or the light of

._the sun. The woman-and-two of the children recovered.

—

;

”

‘In all this disastrous affair, and’ under circumstances
peculiarly distressing, the distance, the depth of the
snows, and severity of the weather, the saving of so
many people was almost a miracle. Thirty-three lives
were lost. _

Hardly had the colonists recovered themselves, after
these exertions, when they were visited by another great
calamity. The winter had been unusually severe,
having begun earlier and continued later than usual.

' The snows averaged three feet deep, and in the woods,

rom four to five’ feet, The cold was intense, being
often. 45° below zero; the ice measured five feet seven
inches in thickness. Notwithstanding all this, the

. colonists felt no dread till the spring was far advanced,

102 TIE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: N

oN
when the flow .of water, from the melting of thé \.

rose nine feet perpendicular in the twerity-four hours!
Such a rise had never before been noticed in Red River.
Even the Indians were startled, and as they stared with
a bewildering gaze, put their hands to their mouths,
exclaiming, “ Yea ho! yea ho!” an expression of surprise,
“What does this mean? What does this mean?” On the
4th, the water overflowed the banks of tlie river, and
now spread so fast, that almost before the people were
aware of the danger, it had reached their dwellings.
Terror was depicted on every countenance, and so level
was the country, so rapid the rise of the waters, that on
the 5th, all the settlers abandoned their houses, and
sought refuge on higher ground.

At this crisis, every description of property became
of secondary consideration, and was involved in one
common wreck, or abandoned in despair. The people
‘had to fly from their homes for the dear life, some of

them saving only the clothes they had on their backs.
The shrieks of children, the lowing of cattle, and the
‘howling of dogs, added terror to the scene. The
' Company’s servants exerted themselves to the utmost,
and did good service with their boats. The generous
_and humane Governor of the colony, Mr. D. Mc Kenzie,
sent his own’ boat to the assistance of the settlers,
though himself and family depended on it for their
safety, as they were in an upper story, with ten feet of
water rushing through the house. By exertions of this

kind, and much self-sacrifice, the families were all

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 103

conveyed to places of safety, after which, the first
consideration was to secure the cattle, by driving them
many miles off, to the pine hills and rocky heights.
The grain, furniture, and utensils, came next in order of
importance; but by this time, the country presented the
appearance of a vast lake, and the people in the boats
had.no resource but to break through the roofs of their
dwellings, and thus save what they could. The ice
now drifted in a straight course from point to point,
carrying destruction before it; and the trees were bent
like willows, by the force of the current.

While the frightened inhabitants were collected in
groups on any dry spot that remained visible above the
waste of waters, their houses, barns, carriages, furniture,
fencing, and every description of property, might be
, seen floating along over the wide extended plain, to
"be engulfed in Lake Winipeg. Hardly a house or
building of any kind ‘was left standing in the colony.
Many of the buildings drifted along whole and
entire; and in some were seen dogs, howling dismally,
and cats, that jumped frantically from side to side of
their precarious abodes. The most singular spectacle
was a. house in flames, drifting along in the night,
its one half immersed in water, and the remainder
furiously burning. This accident was caused by the
hasty retreat of the occupiers. The water continued
rising till the 21st, and extended far over, the plains ;
where cattle used to graze, boats were now plying under
full sail.

As no one deemed it possible to remain in the colony,
the. choice of another locality had become a maiter, of

104 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

eager debate, when, unexpectedly, on the 22nd of the
month, the waters appeared at a stand, and after a day
or two, began gradually to fall ~Wheat, which had
fallen to 2s. per bushel at the commencement of the
disaster, now rose to 15s., nearly double its former
price; and beef, in like manner, from 3d. per pound
to 3d. The height to which the water had risen
above the level of ordinary years was fifteen feet.
It. subsided, of course, very gradually. It was on the
15th of June that the settlers, for the first time, drew
near the sites of their former habitations.

During this heavy trial, only one man lost his life by
drowning; but many were the hair-breadth escapes that
might be mentioned. At one spot, for example, the
writer and some others fell in with a man who had two
of his oxen tied together, with his wife and four children
"fixed on their backs. The docile and terrified animalg~
waded or floated as they best could, like a moveable
stage, while the poor man himself, with a long line in
his hands, kept before them, sometimes wading, some-
times swimming, guiding them to the highest ground.
With no slight trouble, we got them conveyed to a place
of safety ;‘and, but for our timely assistance, they must
all have perished; for the water was gaining on them fast,
while they had far to go, and were already exhausted.

The sudden rise of the water, when it once got over
the banks of the river, may admit of more vivid
illustration from the writer’s personal experience. My
boat then was drawn up at the house door, to be in
readiness, when we were surprised by the rush of the _-
water. I immediately ran out to lock a store door,-a )

y
?

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE 105

few yards off; but before I could get back, the water
was knee deep, and the furniture afloat; nor could the
door of the house be locked, for the strength of the
current. Embarking hastily, we pushed off, and made
for a neighbour’s barn, but had not rowed 300 yards
from the door, when the water began to move and carry
off the loose property; a cariole went first, carts and
slades followed, so that in the space of an hour the
water had made a clean sweep of all moveables, nothing
_remaining but the houses, which soon followed in the
general destruction. In the-barn we were joined by
fifty others, and, after passing a miserable night there,
were compelled to abandon it by the still rising waters.
We now erected a stage, four or five feet high, in the
open plains, and having there piled up such of our little
property as could not be stowed away in our boat and
canoes, we made it our refuge for two days longer;
but the wind blowing a gale, and the water gaining on
us fast, at the end of that period we boated off in haste
to another spot, where we were still less fortunate, for
now the water disturbed us in the night, and we had no —-
alternative but to shape our course for the banks of the
_ Assiniboine, Here, on a patch of high ground, we found
4 dense crowd of people, and among others, the rascally
de Meurons, who, it was well known, ‘hardly possessed
an animal of their own and yet were selling cheap beef
all the time. Disgusted with their near neighbourhood,
we remoyed fiom this otherwise most favourable spot,
and-fiext took up our quarters on the delightful banks
~~ of Sturgeon- Creek, where ,we remained in peace and
quietness till the water began to fall.

106 TINE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

While here, provisions became very scarce; pemican
8d. per pound; salt, 21 5s. the bushel. The troubled
state of the people increased the evil.. The cattle had
been driven to some distance, too far to be available to
us, but not beyond the reach of the de Meurons, who
fed us with our owm beef, ‘at 3d. per pound. When we
came to count our cattle, we had but a Flemish account
of calves and year-olds. It was no time to quarrel,
and hardly safe for a man to claim his own property, as
the de Meurons, and otlers who profited by their
example, helped themselves without scruple to what-
ever chance threw in their way. These were the boys
that had been brought to the country to restore the
settlements to order, and keep peace!

The cause of this disaster has been the subject of
many conjectures, which, however, will not bear investi-
gation, We prefer to state the only conclusion that
appears to us perfectly natural, and consistent with well-
known facts. The previous year had been unusually
wet; the-country was thoroughly saturated; the lakes,
swamps, and rivers, at the fall of the year, were full of
water; and a large quantity of snow had fallen in the
preceding winter. Then ‘came a late spring, with a
sudden burst of warm weather, and a south wind
blowing for several days in succession; the snow melted
at once, and Red Lake, Otter-tail Lake, as well as
Lake Travers, all overflowed their banks. To these
causes must be added the large quantities of ice carried
down’, by the Red River, which came suddenly in
contact with the solid ice of Lake Winipeg; and thus
stopping the current, seems to have caused the great

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 107

overflow of back water on the level surface of the
plains; this opisiion is strengthened by the fact, that as
soon as the ice of the lake gave way, the water began
to fall, and it fell as rapidly as it rose.

What has happened once, may happen again. Exces-
sive rains and snows seldom occur, indeed, in one and the
same year ; but when they do happen, or even when they -
occur in two consecutive years, they will undoubtedly
produce the same disastrous results. The late Mr.
Nolin, who was one of the first adventurers to these
parts, assured the writer, that when he first entered
Red River, in the year 1776, the flood was still higher
than on the present occasion; he having sailed that
year, as he declared, from Red Lake River, round by
the way of Pembina, and down towards the colony ;
the whole country, therefore, being under water, and
the river appearing to him rather like a lake. The
Indians ' ‘likewise mention a flood about the year 1790,
and the natives now on the ground affirm that in 1809
the water rose unusually high.

108 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER -X.

Conrents.— Swiss and de Meurons emigrate—The Scotch at
work again—Discouraging circumstances—Result of persever-
ance—Ups and downs—Red River climate—Late sowing—New
houses—Confidence restored—Orkneymen in Red River—
Agriculture—The month of May—-The seed season—Com-
patison—Fall ploughing—Fall sowing —Runnet— Defective
*spot—Ruinous system—Comfort disregarded—Red River
malaria—One ploughing enough—Experiments—Fall ploughing
recommended— Clover seed-—-Cold— New feature— Governor
Simpson’s views—Encotragements versus discouragements—
Flour—Butter—Produce condemned—The Company’s policy—

- Hints disregarded—The Governor's table—The difficult question
—Who is to blame ?

As the waters subsided, the future, movements of the
colonists became the subject of anxious discussion, and
they soon found themselves divided into two jparties ;
the one consisting of those who were still resglved, in
defiance of all obstacles, to remain at Red_Béver; the
other comprising the Swiss emigrants, /the/ fle Meurons,
and other restless spirits, who, it will be recollected,
were never reconciled to the country;and were now
resolved to try their fortune where. This party,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 109

now on the wing to be off, were joined by -every idler
and other person averse to Red River; and so little was
their further residence in the colony desired, that food
and other necessaries were furnished to them gratis
by the Company, with the view of hastening their
departure. The emigrating party, consisting of 243
individuals, took their departure for the United States
on the 24th of June, and we saw them no more. We
subsequently learned, however, that the Swiss had
settled on the Mississippi, and were doing well. °

The Scotch settlers, meanwhile, not so easily chilled
by disappointments, promptly decided on the course they
were to take: without a moment’s hesitation, or loss of
time, they resumed work on their cheerless farms, which
were then bare and naked as on the first day they came
to the country. This was the fourth time the Scotch
settlers had commenced the world anew in Red River,
all the fruits of their former labours having disappeared,
like the morning dew. The advanced state of the
season held out but little hope of their labours being
crowned with success; yet barley, potatoes, and even a
little wheat sowed as late as the 22nd of June, came to
maturity. In such a latitude as Hudson’s Bay, this
would appear almost incredible; but such was the effect
of the short warm summer of those regions.

The patience and perseverance of the Scotch were
amply rewarded from this-time, for we are now brought
to the year 1827, which commences a new era in the
settlement. Several causes contributed to this result.
The dross had been purged away from our community,
so that we were now one people in thought, word, and

110 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

deed. Before the year 1830 had passed, the colony
was completely re-established, and more promising and
thriving than ever. In this brief interval of two or
three busy years, no less than 204 new houses had been
built, besides many enclosures made, and barns erected,
on sites far more eligible, and secure from any future rise
of the water, than those which the flood had destroyed.
To these advantages must be added the favourable
crops that ensued, for every wet year in Red River is a
crop year, and many years after the high water, the
soil was saturated to its full. Late springs have
always proved the surest indications of a good crop,
as there is then no danger to be apprehended from the
frost.

The blank occasioned in the colony by the party
emigrating to the States, was, by this time, filling up
fast, and that by a people differing very much in -
character and habits from those who had left it. It is a
general observation here, that Orkneymen, the class to
which we allude, are less given to change than people
of most other countries. In whatever sphere of life
they are placed, either high or low, in prosperity or
adversity, their well-known habits of industry and
frugality follow them; and the same uniformity of
character by which they are distinguished at home. It
was the good fortune of these men to come at a most
favourable juncture, when the permanent prosperity of
the colony was secured, and order established; and as
they had come out, not as settlers, but, servants of the
Hudson’s Bay Company, the greater pat of them had
saved more or less money, with which, when their time

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. lll

expired, they at once became comfortably settled on
their own lands, in preference to returning home.
They are, generally speaking, a degree behind the
Scotch settlers, in point of agricultural skill, though
not in point of economy. On the whole they are a
quiet, honest, and plodding people, satisfied with’ little ;
and one circumstance places them at a striking disadvan- —
tage compared with the Scotch emigrants. Most of
them, having contracted matrimony while in the service,
brought into the settlement Indian families, who were in
a great degree ignorant of the habits of the white
people. We here mention the fact; but its effect upon
their interests, as farmers, will show itself more fully
when we come to speak of the Red River market and
the value of produce.

The mode of farming and state of agriculture in the
colony may here be conveniently noticed. The season

for the out-door-labour~of ‘the farmer is rendered short
by the long and severe winters; and this being the
case, everything is commonly done in a hurry, whence
it follows, that it is seldom well done.

The first of May is the earliest reliable period for
setting the plough at work, and at latest, by the 20th
of that month, all seed, with the exception of” barley,
ought to be in the ground, in order to ensure a crop.
Our springs are, therefore, a month behind most Euro-
pean countries, and later than Canada, whiere nearly an
equal degree of cold prevails, by some fifteen days.
May, with us, takes the place of April in other
countriés, in the renewal of vegetation; but it is only
in June, we might say July, that the soil is sufficiently

112 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

heated to bring forth its produce, and afford the
husbandman a fair prospect of a crop.

All kinds of grain thrive well in the colony, and
grow to perfection; but wheat is the general crop
raised, and it is invariably sown in the spring. Fall
sowing was, indeed, once or twice tried; but -having ,
failed, the practice was altogether abandoned. ‘Such _
trials, however, owing to a lack of judgment, indifferent
seed, and other unfavourable circumstances, might have
failed in any other country; and we would strongly
recommend these considerations’to the attention of our
Red River farmers.

“~Fall ploughing and fall sowing are distinct and
equally important subjects, and here, perhaps, the writer
may, without egotism, quote his own experience. “On
finding my crops falling off greatly, I tried the fall

ploughing and summer fallow, to some considerable _ -

extent, and it generally answered so well, that I became
anxious to see it introduced throughout the colony. First,
then, I had a small park, which sowed ten bushels of
grain, and finding, from year to year, that, it was
diminishing, till, at, last, it only produced” fifty-two
bushels in return, after the ordinary routine of spring .
ploughing, I got it manured and ploughed in the fall,
and ploughed it again before sowing in the spring.
The season being favourable, I had 255 bushels on it.
One of my neighbours tried a similar experiment, and
had, after six bushels sowing, 140 in return. A second
field, sowing eight bushels, which had been left fallow
for two years running, during which time it had been
ploughed three different times, and then sown in drills,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 113

yielded for a first crop 280 bushels. In addition to
these encouraging facts, other instances were not wanting, | ;
in course of time, to demonstrate that fall ploughing,’
and fallow, yielded. by far the better crops; besides Ahe
advantages of time, which is always saved by: labour.
done in‘the fall.” This being ‘the case, the morfent the
. ~haryest is over, the plough should be at work. If the
spring be'wet, and weeds appear abundant, plough your
’ fallow ground before sowing it; but if dry, and the
spring be an early’ one, plough the seed down, or sow-
it without ploughing, as it then retains the moisture
still better, unless too much tramped by cattle. Under
the present system,’so short is the fime allowed for
preparing the ground, and sowing, in the spring, that
there has never yet been as much grain raised in one
~- year, as would be sufficient to serve the whole population
for six months, supposing the farmers'not to have sold
a single bushel; and yet the hue and cry has been,
« There is no market!” The people, we must temark,
have depended on the precarious returns of the plains,
_ for the remainder of their supplies.

The only objection urged against fall ploughing -here
has been, that in some instances, during dry years, it has-
failed, owing to the snow not lying on the ploughed
ground, and imparting that moisture to it which is
always derived from the snow lying upon stubble fields.
This indeed may be the case in large open fields, swept
by wirids, but, in small parks, where,the enclosures are
not too far apart, snow will certainly remain; and the
writer may state that he has often found the accumula-
tion of snow-drifts along the fences, prevent early

114 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: _

ploughing in the spring. In regard to fall sowing,
enough has already been said to urge repeated experi-
ments before it is finally condemned.

Grass, perhaps, may be admitted as an exception to
these remarks, since the several attempts so far made
with red clover have totally failed. Still, it ought not
to be forgotten, that in most cases it did appear above
ground the first year, but disappeared ever after, solely, -
it is supposed, from the severity of our winters. Hence,
the question remains, whether red clover can be expected
to thrive, and resist a cold of 48° below zero... White
clover is said"to thrive well; but is little used. Timothy
is the only artificial grass“ yet sown here with any
degree of success, and it thrives exceedingly.well. . In’
truth, the present state of Red River, with its abund-
ance of waste’ lands and their luxuriance in natural
grasses, leaves but little inducement for raising artificial
grass of any kind. The natural grass is so easily got,
and so nutritive, that it is considered a mere waste of
time, and loss of labour, to cultivate any of the foreign
species.

Notwithstanding the impetus given to colonial labour

is 4.2 “after the-foot 0fA827) agriculture remained in such a

backward state, up to the year 1831, or thereabouts,
that the Company could never rely upon the settlers for
a sufficient supply of flour, or any other article of
consumption. About this period, a fresh stir was made;
the colonists: began to look about them, and take some
_ steps to improve their domestic arrangements. The
farmers’ wives commenced to spin, and ‘there was made
in the colony this very year 185 yards of coarse tow

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 115

cloth or bagging. The difficulty was to obtain assist-
ance, unless the farmer had an able family of his own;
men labourers getting from 2s. 6d. to 3s.,and women from
ls. to_1s. 6d. per day, and even at this rate indolent and
awkward at their work. It is not surprising, there-
fore, that prices remained hi h, and that the Company
had to import annually, from England, such articles of
consumption as it needed; a rather singular circum-
‘stance in a country purely agricultural, and rendered
still more singular by the fact, that there was no other
outlet or market in the country but that afforded by the
Company’s servants. _
At the period we have reached, great improvements
were made and a large extension given to agricultural

operations at the instance of Governor Simpson, the:

chief manager of the Company’s affairs throughout
Rupert’s Land, who promised to take all the Company’s
supplies from the colony. The promise was effectual
in rousing the colonists to fresh activity, so that in a
short time all the wants of the Company were adequately
supplied. This was no sooner done, however, than the

prices fell; flour from 16s. to 11s. 6d. per owt. butter -

from 1s. to 7d.; and cheese from 6d. to 4d. per. pound ;
‘while dry goods, iron, salt, and every other article the
sellers required, remained at the usual prices. The
people grumbled for some time; but the storm blew
over, and business went on according to the new tariff,
which was concluded. to afford-a fair remuneration.
The market, in fact, was getting overstocked; when,
unfortunately, a hue and ery was raised throughout the
country against the quality of the produce: the flour

oy
- 7

116 7 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

was said to be heated, sour, and altogether of so very
bad quality as to be only fit to poison pigs; in“short,
wherever it went, it was refused. The butter was
pronounced mouldy, rancid, and scarcely fit to grease
cart-wheels; cheese could not be eaten. Even the beef
and pork were found fault with, at 3d. per pound. The
consequence was, English produce was again called for,
and again imported. The settlers, in fine, were left,

after all their improvements, in a worse predicament
; tha they had never extended their farms; since -

they were now-deprived_ofthet-market which their

additional labour and additional expense had led them
~ to expect.

The apology for this state of things must be sought
“for in the circumstances of the colony at that time.
Perfection was not to be expected ; but even the
Yr necessary conveniences for pursuing agricultural opera-
tigns with success did not exist. In the whole colony,
thére was not to be found either a smut-mill or fanning
. machine, to clean the grain, and but few barns to thrash
it in, and still fewer kilns to dry it; much, therefore, of
— the grain had, of necessity, to be thrashed on an ice-floor,
in the open air, during all.weathers, and then‘ ground in
a frozen state, and immediately packed in casks made of
green wood, furnished by the Company itself. Of all
this, the officials were cognisant; in fact, it was done
under their own orders. Little wonder if the flour
° turned out to be of very bad quality heated, sour,

and even rotten.
“ With. butter, it was even—-worse. The settlers were
in the habit of bringing it into the Company’s store, in

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 117

small quantities ; some more, some less. Not in firkins,
tinettes, or kegs; but in open dishes, covered with a
towel, a napkin,.or a cabbage-leaf ; in hot, windy, or
rainy weather, just as it happened; and at different
times of the year: that is, some in the spring—when its
colour is that of a pale white; others, again, according
to the state of the grass, of a high colour; in fact, at
all seasons. Some well, some as ill salted. Some
made by skilful persons; oth y the unskilful
natives country. Now, all these colours and
qualities, of different periods, were generally thrown
together in large open casks, where it lay till the

packing season arrived. - The whole accumulation was’

then mixed together, and packed by-the Company into
kegs made of green wood, and incapable of holding

brine or * Pickle 5 in which state it was sent, in open_

boats, to the remotest parts of the country; to the
Atlantic and Frozen Oceans—hundreds, nay, thousands
of miles ; exposed, for months together, to a burning
summer’s sun.

Such were the disadvantages under which the settlers
had to labour, and to which they were subjected by the
caprice of the Company’s servants, who would ‘regard
no warning of the consequences, and listen to no
remonstrance. Had the buyer and seller conspired
together purposely to ruin the character of Red River
produce, they could not have hit upon a surer plan for

effecting their object. It will, of course, be understood,

that remarks of this nature apply, not to the Hudson’s
Bay Company in England, but to its representatives on
the spot; and even then it would be unjust to fix any

118. THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

particular amount of blame upon individuals. ~ In the
work#g of most machinéry; there is wheel within
wheel. The governor trusts his deputy, the deputy his

second, and the second is often imposed upon by his

favourites.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATH, 119

i
“ a@

CHAPTER XL,

Coxtents.—A new experiment—Unsettled state of things—The
farmer.at a stand—Fixing the price—The governing principle—
The market—The Company’s wheat—The mixture—The farrago
—The flour—The millers—Saddle on the wrong horse—The
ice-barn farmers—An example—Visit to an old friend—The
establishment in confusion—The, barn—The stable with many
doors—The corn-yard and the- pigs—Fiddling the time away—
Anecdote—The father and his sons~The old man in earnest—
Scotch settlers and their minister —The comparisons— The
Scotch and their petitions—Public meeting—Petition again—
Counter petition—The result—Mr. Jones and the Scotch settlers
—The Liturgy laid aside—The parson’s popularity—Kate and
her keg of butter—General remarks—School system revised—
Remarks thereon—Doing good to others—The Scotch in Red
River—Social relations—Fashion—Dress—The good example.

A NOTABLE expedient was now ventured upon with the
view of correcting the evils we have described. Instead
of purchasing any more of the flour, against which
such a hue and cry had been raised, the Governor,
always interesting himself in the prosperity of the
colony, resolved upon buying up the wheat and getting
it dried and milled according to the Company’s own
liking, The price he fixed was 3s. 6d. per bushel,

120 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

equivalent to lls. 6d per cwt., which had been con-
sidered by both parties a remunerative price for the
flour, and certainly more, all thing considered, than the
Company would have paid for flour imported from
England. This principle regulated the Company in all
similar cases; and though arbitrary, it would be difficult
_ to find a reasonable objection against its fairness. The
settlers, on their part, yielded with a bad grace to the
necessity in which they were placed; and when we add
that the sale of wheat in the colony is by measure, and
that it was at this time taken as it comes, good, bad, or
indifferent, at the same price, it is easy to imagine what
a door was left open for cavilling and trickery.
The harvest of this year was under an average crop,
and got in somewhat late in the season; yet the grain
- was in general good, and the Company bought in from
eight to ten thousand bushels, to be kept in their own
granaries over winter. Unfortunately, their buildings
were too small for so large a quantity. No space being
left to shift it from place to place, it had to be heaped
up, often four or five feet deep, and so remained till it
got almost baked together; add to which it was neither
over dry, nor free from smut, which rendered it still
_ more difficult to keep. Then, again, large quantities of
dried buffalo meat had been stored up in the same
buildings, the daintiest fragments of which were carried
off by the mice and mixed up with the wheat, making
a compound of wheat, smut, icicles, dried meat, mice,
and mice nests, all more or less heated together, and
forming a mass of impurity; the smell of which, without
the hazardous experiment of tasting, was absolutely

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. "121

disgusting. In this state, despite -all advice to the
contrary, and the certainty of bringing disgrace upon
the colony, the wheat was ground and the flour shipped
off to the different trading posts. The writer having a
mill, was among those patronised on this occasion, and
can bear witness that the smell was intolerable. When
the complaints of the victimised consumers had to
he answered, the whole blame was laid upon- the
millers.* . .

We have mentioned the dampness of the wheat, and-

the particles of ice mixed up with it in the Company’s
granaries, arising from the slovenly and dirty habit of
thrashing the grain on an ice-floor, in the open air,

* That some blame, however, was justly attached to the millers,
may be inferred from the following analysis of the flour ground

at the undermentioned mills, kept separate and tested by Mr.
Governor Finlayson :—

Pounds of Flour. : Pounds of Bran.
No.1. In 112 from John Vincent’s mill was found 12
» 2 » WR, William Bird’s mill % 12
>» & 5 12 , George Flitt’s mill " 12
» &@ » 112 , Narcisse Marion's mill ,, 14
» & yy 112 ,, Michel Klyne’s mill ” 14
» & y 2 , James Inkster’s mill _,, 14
» % yy W2 , Thomas Logan's mill _,, ld
» & 4, %J12 = ,, AndrewMecDermot’s mill ,, 18
» ® » LW2 , Thomas Bird’s mill ” 20
» lO.) 0 «112)——Ci«,, Ilugh Polson’s mill a” 20
wll y, ne , Robert Sandeson’s mill ,, 26
» 2 4 22, Cuthbert Grant’s mill ,, 28

No. 1 and 2. Half-breeds, of English extraction. 3, An Ork-
neyman. 4. A Canadian. 5. A German. 6. An Orkneyman.

7. A Half-breed, of Scotch extraction. 8. An Irishman, whose ..

mill was the same used by the writer of this book, named above,
he having sold it to Mr. Bird. 9. A Half-breed, of English
extraction. 10. A Scotchman. 11. A Half-breed, of Orkney
extraction. 12. A. Half-breed, of Canadian extraction. _

. G

122 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

chiefly by an indolent and wretched class of squatters, who
raise just sufficient to poison the good grain, and destroy
the market of the Red River colonists. To some extent,
this practice could not be avoided by the most pains-
taking farmers, but the evil was greatly increased. by the
policy of the Company, who, to please all parties, took
their supplies indiscriminately from all who presented
themselves in the markets.

The class to which we particularly allude, ha
already been described as the “paupers of Red River;”
they are voyageurs, hunters, trip-men, lake frequenters,
fiddlers, idlers, and last of all, they are farmers. We
call them paupers, and as a body they are such in
reality, for no class of people can be more improvident
and dependent on the exertions of others; yet it is not
always poverty that lies at the root of their miserable
way of life, but sheer force of habit and indolence, to be
found among men of means _as well the poorest of those
who resemble them. By way of exemplifying the case,
the writer may here briefly describe his visit to an old
acquaintance, who had settled himself on an extensive
farm, among the half-breeds of the place.

This man had not his superior for wealth and influ- —
ence in the whole parish to which he belonged, for
having been long in the Company’s service, he had left
the fur ,trade with a fortune of some 4,0001. sterling.
As he showed me over his establishment, the first place
we went to see was a miserable sort of hovel, without
lock or latch, with the snow drifting through the roof,
which the old gentlemen called his barn. It was just
large enough for two men to work in, but they preferred

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 123

the ice-floor on the outside, as being safer,and hardly more
exposed, since a cat jumped out between the logs as
soon as we got in; and for that matter, a dog might have
followed her, the holes being ample enough. Lying
in our way, as we entered, was a pile of old harness and
broken boxes, which in a manner shut up the entrance.
At one end of the building were a few boards, on which
lay eight bags of pemican, and some bales of dried meat,
near to which lay in a heap séme barley in the chaff.
Across the rest of the floor, were several sleepers raised
a foot and a half above the ground, as if on purpose to
break the shins of any adventurer who entrusted himself
within its precincts. It will be understood that these
timbers had originally been laid down for the purpose of
carrying a floor,.but the work had never yet, and
probably never would advance so far. In the other end
were a few loads of unthrashed oats, peas, and barley,
lying heads and tails together, and scarcely distinguish-
able the one from the other, being covered with the
drifted snow. Across the plating of this strange building
' were two rough beams, on which were laid two raw
hides, on cross sticks, holding up some half cleaned
wheat, in one frozen mass, thickly covered with snow.
I observed to my friend that the wheat would be
spoiled. .

* Oh, no,” said he: “it is for the Company.”

“It is very good of the Company,” I replied, “ to
take such wheat as that.”

« Yes,” said he, “the Company take from us anything
we have got for sale.”

At the opposite side, lying on cross sticks also, were

124 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: . a

jumbled together heaps of buffalo hides,. mouldy, moth-
eaten and rotten, bull’s heads, old parchment, dog’s
sleds, snow-slioes, and a thousand other things, all
more or less hidden in the snow-drift, and through
which we could scarcely make our way. We had
almost omitted the descent by means of a break-neck .
ladder of three wide steps, and glad we were to reascend
them, and get out of the so-called barn with whole
bones. On reaching the door, the old gentleman, turning
round, remarked with a smile, “They have stolen one
of my bags of pemmican: I had nine.”

Leaving the barn, we went'to one of the stables close —
by; but Isaw enough of it from the outside to satisfy
me, without going in. The door had first been on the
east side of the building; but when that had got choked
up with dung, one had been cut out on the west end, _
then on the north, and as a last make-shift,° when I
was there, one was cut out on the south side, fronting
the dwelling-house door, and not many yards from it;
at the same time dung was piled so high all round, that
nothing of the building, except the roof, was to be s¢en.
To reach the door, the animals had to slide down, and
to get out on their knees. On my observing this
difficulty of ingress and egress, the old gentleman
remarked, “ Losses do now and then occur; we have,
however, lost but one this season.” When I asked him
where he would cut out the next door, seeing no place
accessible but the roof; “Oh! we will throw the
building away,” said he, “and make another!” There
were two other stables adjacent, which had been
abandoned in a similar manner. The dung of many

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND. PRESENT STATE. 125

years was festering on the spot, forming one of the
numerous similar sources of Red River malaria.

From the stable we proceeded to the corn-yard,
fenced round with a sort of temporary railing, enclosing
five half-made ricks of wheat, a little higher than a
man’s head, which my friend dignified with the name of
stacks. They were made in.that form which left them
as broad, if not broader; at thé top than the bottom, and
covered with sticks more likely to rot than keep them
. dry. As we approached the place, the cattle that had
been regaling themselves among the stacks, at one end,
took fright, and in their onward course roused a nestling
of pigs which were burrowing under the ricks, at the
other ; instantly, all was in motion, and the scene became
one of sufficient interest for a Hogarth’s pencil. The
cattle and pigs held on their course, scampering round
and round, tossing, trampling, and destroying, till all
was reduced to one common level; the ice-floor covered
with a foot or more of frozen grain, and that grain,
mixed up with at least two feet of snow, dung, chaff,
and straw, formed a melange scarcely to be described.
With all this, the gravity of my friend never allowed him
to change countenance; on the contrary, so familiar did
he appear to be with such things, that he enjoyed a
hearty laugh on seeing the cattle throw the squeaking
pigs in the air, sagely remarking, indeed,.“ What we
lose in wheat we will gain in pork.” ;, With such farmers,
patronized so impartially by the Company, can it be
matter of surprise that a universal cry was raised
against the produce of Red River ?

After clearing the “ its unwelcome visitors, we

126 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

returned to the house, where we found two of my
friend’s sons (he had four or five, married and living
about the place) rattling away at the fiddle. Instead of.
rebuking them for neglect, or complaining of the damage
done in his corn-yard, he enjoyed‘the glee, remarking
with an air of self satisfaction, that all the half-breeds
had a great genius for music; and concluded by
praising his own sons, for their skill on the violin.
Having been an eye-witness of the general neglect of
everything about his place, it was impossible to refrain
from asking, why his sons, all young able men, did not
keep things in better order?”

“Why,” said he, “they take no interest in such
matters, and besides, they are now off on their own
account, and live by the plains. I have,” continued
he, “ spent 2,0002. on them, chiefly in horses; and yet
they are as poor as when they got the first shilling.
Like their countrymen, they are above the drudgery of
farming. They take no delight in cultivating the soil.

_ Their thoughts, their ideas, their energies, are all limited
. to buffalo-hunting, fiddling, and horse-racing, They are
“now olil enough to judge for themselves, and I allow
theni fo take their own way. When I sow and reap the
grain to their hand, they will not thrash it; when I
thrash it, they will not take it to the mill; but when
ground into flour and baked into bread, they will cat it.
Generally speaking, all we do is to raise a little grain
for the Company, for we use but little ourselves,
preferring meat to bread.” Here then is a picture, and
would we could render it more like the strange reality,
of a class whose very existence we can only deplore ;

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 127

an honest straightforward man, -settled in as fine a
farming district on as rich a soil, and as easily cultivated, ©
as heart could wish. I asked him if the Company took
all his grain. “Yes,” was his answer, “and they would
take more if we had it to offer.” The regular farmers
always complained of this state of things in the colony,
that the sound and healthy grain they raised should
be invariably mixed up and confounded with the adul-
terated and poisonous trash produced by such people as
the ice-barn farmers. _

While the minds of the Scotch'settlers were soured
by the disappointments we have narrated, they were
still without the advantage and consolation which might
have been afforded them by a minister of their own
persuasion. In our last remarks on this subject we
noticed Mr. West’s return home, and the arrival of ‘the
Reverend D. T. Jones as his successor and chaplain to
the Company. As soon as the present troubled state of
things in the colony, with reference to our agricultural
pursuits, our farms, our produce and our precarious
market began to subside, and the prospects of the people
had become more settled and favourable, no time was
lost in renewing the application for their long-expected
pastor, and with a degree of more than usual confidence,
arising from the fact that the colony had now fallen into
the hands of the Company, who, as we were led to
believe, were bound to see all Lord Selkirk’s plans... _.
and promises carried into effect. This, at least, was
what we heard rumoured abroad; for no direct intima-
tion that such was the fact had reached us.

Our hopes, as usual, proved-delusive, and the disap-

128 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

pointment was aggravated by a circumstance which
well nigh excited the worst passions, and did, in fact,
create much bitterness of feeling. It was at this period
that certain statements made by the Rev. Mr. Jones,
and inserted in the “ Missionary Register” of December
1827, first came to light in the colony. Speaking of
the Scotch settlers at page 639, the reverend gentleman
thus expresses himself: ‘I lament to say that there is
an unchristian-like selfishness and narrowness of mind
in our Scottish population; ,while they are the most
comfortable in their circumstances of any class in our
little community.” And then, to heighten as it were the

contrast, if not to disseminate the seeds of party feeling,, .,

he adds: “The Orkney Islanders are a far more
promising and pleasing~body~of~men: there is among

them an identity of feeling and disposition; and the .

energy of their character is, in general, directed in a
proper channel.” Nay, to finish the picture thus beguti;—~
he further remarks: “The half-breeds, in particular,
walk in simplicity and godly sincerity!” I have
taken the liberty of annexing the note of admiration to
the last sentence. Nor do I doubt but Mr. Jones
found it a much easier task to dictate to Orkney
Islanders, as he calls them, and half-breeds too, than to
make stubborn Scotchmen change their creed.

There is, however,_every allowance to be made for
the Orkney men, and we may here explain the fact,
‘why they jiever sincerely joined the Scotch in their
applications to get a minister,of their own persuasion.
We have stated that the Orkney men came into the
colony from the service, with Indian families, and there

NO a
\

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 129

being no other Protestant church in Red River at the
time but the Church of England, their families had, as
a matter of course, to join the church that was, or join’.
none ; and. being the first they had ever known, they
perhaps did right in following it, and remaining within
its pale in preference to any other. The Scotch
settlers, on the contrary, had brought their religion
into the country along with them—a religion as dear
to them as their lives, and which they never could
conscientiously change without abandoning their first
faith. Hence the reason why they never -could, nor ~
would, become reconciled to the Church of England,
notwithstanding they went to thatchurch in the absence _
of their own.

If the Presbyterians were not sincerely attached
to the Church of England before, they were less con-
tented than ever after their kndwledge of the censure
thus passed upon them. In the midst of the stir it
created they addressed an application to the Governor

-of the colony on the, subject, which was graciously
, received; the people being told that an answer might
‘be expected by the earliest opportunity. Thus
encouraged, they wére buoyed’ up with the most
sanguine expectations, till the lapse of time proved
to them how ,delusive and treacherous are the hopes
which depend upon the good or ill-will of others. We
did indeed receive an answer, but, as the nature of it
will show, by an indirect way, and by mere chance.
One of the members of the Church Missionary Society,
.writing to a gentleman in the settlement, let the cat
out of the bag; for his letter, which accidentally fell into
a5

: ‘

i130, THE RED “RIVER SETTLEMENT :

our hands, contained these expressions :— Red River;” _
said he, “is an English colony, and there are two

English missionaries there already; and if-the petitioners -

were not ‘a setof canting hypocrites, they might very
well ‘be satisfied with the pious clergyman they have
got.” Such was the answer we finally received. Every
man for himself in this charitable world. In the
expressions of the pious gentleman who wrote the letter,
we see the spirit of the dominant party; force riding
rough-shod over justice.

The people were highly ineemsed at the manner in
which they ad been tréated, ant a second application
through the same channel having failed, Governor:
Mc Kenzie assembled the people at Fort : Garry. Here
great complaints were made, not only “for, want of a
minister, but for the want of school teachers ; nothing
but the routine of church matters being attended to,and
the children’s time wasted at the sort of schools: then i in, /
the settlement. At this public meeting, therefore, a _
petition was nuierously signed for a minister of the
Church of Scotland, and also for a schoolmaster, and
placed in the hands of Mr. Governor Mc Kenzie, by
whom it was transmitted home: the fate of that petition
was never known. In explanation of this we may
observe that Mr. Jones and his satellites got up a
counter petition, which was also sent to head-quarters,
and probably achieved this brilliant triumph for them.

Before dismissing this subject, Christian charity
obliges us to remark that the faults we have noticed
were but slight in the character of a man like the
Reverend Mr. Jones, who possessed many amiable

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 131

qualitie.. After this little breeze with the Scotch
~ settlers, he became extremely kind and indulgent to
them, and among other things laid aside such parts of
the Liturgy and formula of the Episcopalian Church .as
he knew were offensive to his Presbyterian hearers.
He also held prayer-meetings among them after the
manner of their own church, without using the prayer-
book at all, which raised him higher than ever in their
estimation, especially as they understood that he could
only do so at the hazard of forfeiting his gown. His
own words were :—“I know I am doing good; and as.
long as I can do good to souls, the technical forms of
this or that church will not prevent me.” Mr. Jones
» was a fine and eloquent preacher; tender-hearted, kind, ©
and liberal to a fault. And so popular was he on
account of the last-mentioned trait in his character, that
he, was all but idolized in Red River. Some time after
he had gone home for the last time, one of the Scotch
women happened to be passing the writer’s house, just

as the packet arrived from England. ,

NN “What news from home?” said honest Kate to me.
““Oh, nothing particular, madam,” said I, “only I
hear it Peported that your old friend Mr. Jones is coming
’ out again.” .

“ Ah! God bless ‘you for that news!” she exclaimed ;

and, whatever her thought were, she went on her way
delighted. a ~~,

Although the Scotch settlers didnot succeed in-
getting out their minister, nor the Presbyterian party

their schoolmaster; yet, so bold and unflinching ~was
. the language in which these two capital grievances were

132 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

set forth, that the great folks both in church and state
began to take the alarm, and great efforts were made in
behalf of schools throughout the settlement. The
drawling system gave way to plans for the introduction

-of a more healthy and vigorous course of instruction.
‘Even boarding-schools, and an academy for the higher

branches of education; Latin, Greek, and the mathematics,

were warmed into existence; all quite new things in’ ~.

Red River. It is not uncommon for people with but
little experience to leap from one extreme to another,
and so it happened in this case. The Presbyterian party
derived but little benefit, either directly or indirectly,
from these measures, notwithstanding they were the result
of their own efforts. It is almost needless to say they were
too poor to avail themselves of the advantages held out
by the boarding-schools, and of too low birth. and fortune
for the high school, as that seminary was exclusively
provided for the children of Governors, Deputy-Gover-
nors, and chief Factors, the great nabobs of the fur
trade.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 133

CHAPTER XII.

Conrents.—Governor Simpson— Second experimental farm—
Experimental farms in general—The establishment—Ample
means—The fur-trade farmer—Mongrel servants—Experience
disregarded—-The sheep speculation—Great projects— Small
tesults—The wolves rejoicing—The humbug—The flax and
hemp project—The premiums—The farmers in motion—Strange
policy—The Governor's disappointment— The trick—-The
favourites—The little monopoly—The buildings—Fort Garry
~—Episcopalians versus Presbyterians—General remarks—The
Scotch in Red River.

Tue failure-of the wheat experiment was not sufficient
to deter Governor Simpson from trying other means to
render the produce of Red River acceptable, and, indeed,
to raise its character. His desire now, was to establish
another experimental farm, at the Company’s sole
expense, with the view of initiating the settlers, and

. particularly the natives of the country, into an improved
system of husbandry and dairy management, the cultiva-
tion of hemp, flax, and whatever else might interest the
farmer, and ensure a steady market for the fruits of his
industry.

’-._--Phe chosen site of the “ new experimental farm,” for
so this grand undertaking was designated, was a rich
and fertile spot on the Assiniboine river. Here houses
of every description were erected. First, a princely

134 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

dwelling, then barns, corn-yards, and stables; and, at
last, parks and enclosures were formed. With regard
to stock, cows of the best breed were purchased. A
stallion was imported from England, to improve the
breed of horses, at a cost of some 3002. sterling; and
breeding mares got from the United States, also at
a great expense. Servants, both men and women, were
provided, to fill every station. Implements of husbandry
were collected in profusion. The most costly ploughs,
harrows, drills, and whatever else could be thought of,
down to the milk-pail, and the axe-handle, as well as _
seeds of all kinds, were imported; so that no expense
was spared to ensure success. An experiment thus
provided for ought to have succeeded; but we regret
to say that the subsequent arrangements were not so
happily adjusted. The practical farmer was still
wanting, and that want deranged the whole machinery.

The choice of a manager to carry out this princely
design fell on a gentleman of the fur trade; a man of
the most zealous, active, and persevering character in
all that he was acquainted with; but in no wise qualified
to conduct farming operations, even on the smallest
scale, far less on a large one, where science as well
as industry were required. The appointment of Mr.
Chief Factor Mc Millan was the more to be regretted,
as, among the Scotch emigrants, there were not a few

-who had a good practical knowledge of such things:

but this was not the sole mistake, The servants

‘appointed to the farm were, for the most part, half-

breeds of the country, and knew little more of agricylture
than the wild Indian of the plains. Their extent of the
skill consisted in having seen wheat, barley, and

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 135

potatoes raised, and that in the simplest and rudest
manner. The dairy, and the process of making butter
and cheese, were absolutely new to them. System was
never dreamt of; and the want of system ruined all.
As to the flax and hemp, both grew luxuriantly; but
after growing, were neglected, and allowed to rot: not
a pound of either ever realized a shilling to the
settlement. In fine, the most common grain raised at
the experimental farm was inferior, both as to quality
and quantity, to that raised by the humblest Scotch
settler in the colony. The thousands that were lavished
away on this scheme, from beginning to end, were
rendered nugatory by the foolish desire of placing a
favourite in a comfortable situation. After six years’ trial,
when the whole was sold off, the dead loss to the Com-
pany amounted to 3,500). sterling. Indeed, it was the
general opinion at the time, that had the truth been told,
the actual loss would have more than doubled this sum.
The Governor was never reconciled to the failure of
this favourite scheme; for he had hoped it would be
the beginning of a happy era in the settlement. It
was his excellency’s hobby, and on learning the result,
he exclaimed, “ Red River is like a Lybian tiger: the
more we try to tame it, the more savage it becomes.
So it is with Red River; for every step I try to bring
it forward, disappointments drag it two backward!”
Still the colony derived some collateral advantages
from the attempt; for example, the breed of horses was
decidedly improved. Such-a failure did, perhaps,
more harm in a country like Red River, than
it would have done in any other; it gave such a
contemptible idea of the skill of the white man. It

7136 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

: became a by-word in the colony, among the half-breed

, population, “ that the ice-barn farmers were bad, but the
“experimental farmers were worse; and, after all their
grand performances, the whites have but little to boast of.”

While the Company were at work in their experi-
mental farm, the colonists, no less eager on their part
to follow the example, set their heads and hearts
together, and became enamoured of a sheep speculation.
This project was announced as a joint-stock association,
to be called the “ Assiniboine Wool Company,” a project
still more extravagant, not to say foolish, than the
Buffalo Wool Company, described in a previous chapter.
The thing in itself, indeed, was not unreasonable ; but
the manner in which it was to have been carried into
effect, was wild in the extreme. The proposed capital
of this novel concern was 6,0000. sterling, divided into
1,200 shares of 5, each—a sum three times greater than
all the money in circulation in the settlement, which, at
this time, did not exceed 1,9002. The operations of the
Company were perfectly simple. The sum thus raised
was to be laid out in the purchase of sheep, either
in England or the United States; the flocks being kept
and increased in Red River till they amounted to
thousands, and tens of thousands; or, in other words,
till the plains groaned under their numbers. The wool
thus raised wa to form an article of export, and higher
ere not excited, even by the gold mines

expectations

The introduction of sheep, as a branch of rural
economy, had it been on anything like a moderate scale,
would have been a laudable undertaking, the policy of
which no one was prepared to deny; for so far we had

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 137

to buy everything, and sell nothing; but that men
should risk their all, the last shilling they possessed, in
a doubtful and uncertain speculation, be it what it
might, was certainly, to give it the mildest term, not
only a foolish, but a mad scheme; while, at the time, a
'% servant could sciiteely be found in the colony to keep. a
scow, far less sheep, which must have become the prey of
Welves, had the money been found for introducing them
into "the country. This, however, was the very hing
that could not be done. Everything went on agreeably
till the shareholders were called’ upon for their money,
when the more sagacious among them began to calculate
the chances in their favour. This the scheme would not
bear, and the wolves were disappointed. After occupying
the public mind, and amusing the public ear for more
than a twelvemonth, the project was abandoned, in
favour of another, which, as we shall presently see,
ended in a similar result.
The new project, like the experimental farm, was
a child of the Governor’s own brain ; for he was
determined, cost what it would, to drag Red River into
notice, one way or other; and it is-sificerely to be
regretted, that his policy and views were not in many
respects backed and supported with more zeal and
perseverance on the part of others. But, unfortunately,
there was in all our undertakings and councils, a
poisonous mixture of petty jealousy, the jarring elements
of ‘peevish little minds—men fond of talking, but
seldom of active business habits; and these not pulling
together, never failed to frustrate the best intentions of
the Governor. His present proposal arose from his wish
to divert the efforts of the people from the over-production

138 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

of grain, for which there was no adequate market, into
a more advantageous channel. His choice fell upon
flax and hemp, for promoting the cultivation of which,
on a large scale, with a view to exportation, certain
premiums were announced to be continued for three
years in succession.

The people of Red River grasp at everything new, as
a hawk pounces on a bird, and then abandon it as
easily, without waiting with patience for the anticipated
result; but their interest was redoubled on the present
occasion, by the prospect of a double reward. The
premium, to speak truth, on the present occasion, was
the great point with them, and flax and hemp but |
secondary considerations; not the end regarded, but the
means to a more selfish one. Every man, accordingly,
prepared himself for the new experiment, or rather for
the premiums. The Scotch settlers, the ice-barn
farmers, the plain hunters, the lake frequenters, the
squatters, all were moved by one impulse.

The simple facts we have to relate will prove that
this charge of cupidity is not over stated. The low
loamy valleys along the banks of the Red River are
peculiarly adapted for the growth of flax; and for the
three years the premiums weré awarded, favourable
crops were produced, and the flax, after the different
processes of growing, steeping, rotting, bleaching, and
drying, was pronounced excellent, even of first quality ;
and these were the only operations required: to those,
therefore, who excelled, the premiums were given.
After the production of these specimens, incredible as
it may appear, the flax was left from year to year to
rot, like dung, upon the ground. The premiums being

JTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 139

paid, no further notice was taken of the produce; and
when ceased to be given, the flax was no longer grown.

There was another and imost iniquitous feature in
the working of this scheme, which deserves mention.
The quantity of flax seed in the colony, at the time
the premiums were offered, was very small; and
before the scarcity was generally known, every ounce of
it was bought up, and came into the possession of a
favourite few, by the connivance of those in power.
Those who got the seed, got the premiums too, as a
matter of course. This was the case for the first year.
Nor would the producers sell or part with an ounce
of the seed to anyone else, even the secend year;
no money that could be offered would purchase a grain
of it; and so the favourite few got the premiums the
second year also; and so they did the third, even to the
end of the chapter.

With the hemp it fared precisely the same as with
the flax, The favoured few who contrived to monopolize
the one, monopolized the other, and would have made a
handsome property of it, had it lasted long enough.
The soil of Red River produces as good hemp as can
be grown in any country, rich and.luxuriant. In
alluvial ground it succeeds best, our short hot
summers seem to favour the growth of that coarse but
tender plant exceedingly well. Most of it grew to the
height of six feet nine or ten inches; but the moment
the premiums expired, the hemp, like the flax, expired
also. The whole crop was allowed to rot. Thus was
added another item to the catalogue of our failures,
without the least benefit to the settlement generally.
Besides the spectacle of flax and hemp rotting in the

140 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

fields, a costly flax-mill, finished and in working order,
might be seen standing idle, because no one persevered
in the work to which he had set his hand.
"Tired by the endless repetition of delusive and
vexatious experiments, which have resulted, one and all,
in fruitless disappointment, we turn to the more solid
subject of stone and lime. In Red River, as in Canada,
and most other new countries, the people, for a long
time, contented themselves with what are called wooden
houses, of such humble ‘appearance as might be expected
where means are low, workmen scarce, and wages at a
high rate. The cost of such houses depends on a variety
of circumstances ; but the average may be taken at 601.
sterling, ‘These frame buildings,’simple, yet commodious
and comfortable, differ in size as in cost, but are seldom
more than thirty feet in length, or less. than twenty ; the
other dimensions being of corresponding proportion. A

sifperior class of-dwellings have shingled roofs, stone
foundations, windows, doors and pavitions paneled and
painted, and the walls rough-cast with lime. One of
this description, forty or fifty feet long, and well finished,
will cost 3002. Such was the cost of one built for the
writer; but it was the best in the settlement of its size.
Of late, a decided improvement in the character of our
wooden buildings has become manifest. Several are of
two stories high, some.with galleries, and two ornamented
with verandas. Taste,as well as convenience, begins to
receive its due share of consideration; the luxury of
glass windows, and a lock on the outer door, things
hitherto scarcely known in Red River, have become
fashionable, indeed, almost general. Such houses, white
as snow, look well, and have a very gay appearance.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 141

The more solid structures of stone and lime are also,
in some few instances, beginning to be introduced by
the Company; and -this, at no distant time, will be
resorted to generally, as wood is becoming scarce, even
for fuel. In the upper part of the settlement, where
wood may still be got, stone is not to be found; but in
other places, towards the lower end, limestone quarries
are abundant. Lime was made here as early as the
time of Governor Bulger; but the article was only used
for practical purposes, such as building and. the white-
washing of houses, very lately. The first instance
was at the building of a small powder-magazine, erected
by the Company at Upper Fort Garry, in 1830. This
magazine claims the proud distinction of being the first
stone and lime building, in the colony.

In the year following, the Company commenced
building on an elevated spot, at the head of the sloop
navigation, twenty miles below the forks—being half
way between the latter place and Lake Winipeg—an
establishment of stone and lime, on a large scale,
intended as a stronghold and safe retreat from any
foreign enemy, or™the’ destructive visitation of high
water—should such a catastrophe ever occur again.
This establishment, called “ Lower Fort Garry,” cov ers
about as much ground as St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London.
The fort is square, and built on a rock or limestone
quarry, surrounded by a stone wall, and protected by
four round towers or bastions. It was at first designed
ds the seat of Government, and the Company’s head
depot ; but that intention has been relinquished in favour
of “Upper Fort Garry,” situated about 400 yards above

142 " THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

the .confluence of the Assiniboine and Red River, in .-
latitude 49° 53’ north, and longitude 97° west; a situation ~
more central than the former, and certainly better
adapted both for the defence and the transaction. of —-
business pertaining to the colony. a
This fort has therefore been rebuilt on a more _
elevated site than it formerly occupied, and on an
improved plan. Its form’is nearly square, being about
- 280 feet from east to west, and 240 from north to south.
It is surrounded by a stone wall of 15 feet high, and of
considerable thickness; having two large gates on the

houses at each corner, with port and loop holes for
cannon and musketry. In the inside of the wall is a
gallery hich runs round the fort, and which affords a
pleasant walk, and an extensive view of the surrounding
country. The principal dwelling-house—a large and
commodious building—occupies the centre of the square,
behind which, and near the northern gate, stand the
flagstaff and belfry. There are also houses within the
walls, for the accommodation of the officers and men
attached to the fort; together with stores and granaries.
and—would it were not necessary to add—a jail and

a “north and south sides, and four round towers or block-

court-house for the colony. It is a neat and compact
establishment, and reflects great credit on Mr. Governor
Christie, under whose eye the work was accomplished.
These splendid establishments, for such they really

are in a place like Red River, impart an air of growing
_---—Importance to the place. Upper Fort Garry, the seat
of the colony Governor, is a lively and attractive
station, full of business and bustle. Here all the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 143

of the colony are chiefly transacted, and here ladies
wear their silken gowns, and gentlemen their beaver
hats. It’ gay and imposing appearance makes it the
-—-delightof ever visitor ; the rendezvous of all comers
‘and goers. .Lower Fort Garry is more secluded,
‘although picturesque, and full of rural beanty. Here
the Governor of Rupert’s Land resides, when he passes
‘any time in the colony. To those of. studious and
retired habits, it is preferred to the upper fort.

While speaking of architectural subjects, we shall be: ~

excused departing a little from chronological order to
mention, that at the date we are writing, the colony
boasts of two Protestant churches, and 2 Roman Catholic
cathedral, built of stone. Two or three handsome stone
houses have also been erected by the Scotch settlers,
which may be regarded as unmistakeable indications of

‘ prosperity—a prosperity dearly purchased by years of
trouble and patient endurance. We might say more,
but it is useless to be continually repeating the story of
wrongs, which now perhaps can never be remedied. The
first ten years of their sojourn in the colony, the Scotch
emigrants were almost the only settlers; the next ten
years they were the majority; but the last ten, they
have been the minority; and, by a combination —of—
untoward circumstances, they can hardly now be said to
retain their nationality, ‘being as a mere fraction in the

- mass of the community. It is as if they had come to
Red Riyer‘merely to endure its hardships, and as trusty

_Piotieers to bear the heat and burden.of the day,-where
a people of less hardihood and perseverance must
necessarily have succumbed. ~

Go.

144 {HE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER XII

Contents.—The windmill—Its history—Red River windmills—
The watermill—The dam operations—Keg of rum—The con-
tented master—Men at work—Result—New sheep speculation
—Governor Simpson—Contractors—Broils—Going the wrong
way to work—Paying for one’s folly-—The deadly grass—The
effect—Marking the road to St. Peter’s—The vote of thanks in-
doors—Murmuring out-doors—Result—Tallow trade—-Object
—The wolves—Winding .up—General remarks—Winter road
—The object—Result. ~ .

We have noticed the progress of the building art, and
the public edifices of the colony. The eye of the
stranger would have been arrested also by the great
number of windmills in the neighbourhood. One of
" these, was$sent ‘out as a model by Lord Selkirk in the
carly period of the settlement ; it had cast follers, and
machinery capable of working two pairs of”stones, but
for years no one was found able to set it in operation.
. It was even sent back to England and re-shipped. At
length, ten ‘ years after its first arrival in the colony,
Lord Selkirk’s executors sent’ out oné ‘Mitchel, a mill-
wright, from Scotland, expressly to set it in order,
hy whose exertions it commenced’? * working in 1825,

ot f

-ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATI. 145

having cost altogether no less than 1,500; soon after-
wards it was sold to Mr. Logan, a gentleman in the
colony, for a fifth part of that sum, and he, having some
knowledge of machinery himself, turned the mill to good
account, especially as it remained for several years the
only one in the settlement. It is going still, and ranks
among the best in Red River. During the year of the
flood its strong and lofty pillar resisted the high water,
and. afforded protection to many who sought shelter
within its walls.

All the other windmills were made with the materials
of the country, iron only excepted, and finished by the
workmen of the settlement, at an average cost, every-
thing included, of 1501. sterling. Their ingenuity has
been equally successful in the construction of water-
mills, the first of which was built on Sturgeon Creek,
a small tributary of the Assiniboine, nearly midway
between the Forks and the White Horse Plains, by
Mr. Grant, chief of the half-breeds, a gentleman who
has already been mentioned in our history. To tell the
‘truth, the history of the first water-wheel bears a very
striking resemblance to that of the first windmill. The
attempt was suggested by Mr. Logan’s success with the
windmill when it came into his possession. Stimulated
by the prospect of gain, and fond of notoriety, Mr.
Grant began the construction of a dam from bank to
bank across the creek, a distance of some 240 fect,
without considering that a man might be a good hunts-
‘man, and, at the same time, a very indifferent mill-
wright. In due course the dam was made, the mill
built, and the stores for grain finished ; but the mill,

‘ H

146 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

after several trials, gave but little satisfaction—the dam
still less. It gave way—gave way a second time—a
-third—a hundred times—gave way altogether: it was no
longer adam! At last the mill gave way also, and in
less than three years all was abandoned, leaving Mr.
Grant minus 800. sterling. Everyone regretted the
failure as a loss to the public, and still more on account
of the projector himself, who was, on the whole, a
generous and good-hearted fellow.

The history of Red River may be said to turn ona
series of speculations. Notwithstanding the failure of
his flax and, hemp project, the Governor was still
possessed with a desire to advance the interests of
the colony, and at this period he again turned his
attention to the introduction of sheep, which was always
one of his most favourite designs. To this end he
proposed the formation of a joint-stock association, in
order to raise the sum of 1,200, to be laid out in the
purchase of sheep from the United States, a plan which
was embraced with great readiness, and the money
as promptly raised. The Governor, on his part,
generously offered to send Mr. Rae, a gentleman of the
fur company, along with the adventurers, to superintend
the business, and see the sheep brought safe to Red
River; with him was associated, on the part of the
colonists, Mr. Bourke, who has already been introduced
to the notice of the reader, and the dissensions of these
two leaders, as we shall see, ruined the undertaking.

These gentlemen, with only four men, crossed the
wide desert to St. Peter’s late in the fall of the year.
From St. Peter’s their course was directed to St. Louis,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 147

and from thence through the state of Missouri, where
it was expected the sheep would be purchased, in which

_ case the return home would have.been comparatively

easy. Here, however, the leaders quarrelled. Mr.
Rae was young, high-minded, active, and full of enter-
prise, but destitute of the experience which qualified
his sagacious and equally stubborn colleague, whose
haughty and overbearing demeanour was more than
he could brook. The occasion of their rupture was
as follows. On arriving in Missouri, the price-of sheep
was found to be from ds. to 7s. 6d. a head; but not
being much of a sheep country, the people were so
ill-advised as to demand of our travellers an advanced
price of 10s. per head, it being rumoured abroad that
they wanted as many sheep, perhaps, as the King of
Moab rendered to the Israclites. Mr. Rae took offence
at this attempt at extortion, as he considered it; and
though the sheep were afterwards offered at 7s. 6d.
a head, he refused to deal with the Missourians, and
was resolved to push on for Kentucky, a further dis-
tance of 450 miles. Remonstrance was in vain. To
all that Mr. Bourke could urge bn the score of increased
difficulty in the transport of the flocks, and other
probabilities of mischance, Mr. Rae only whistled a
reply, and went on his ill-starred course. After this
little outbreak, Bourke scarcely interfered in the
management of affairs during the whole journey.

After a variety of adventures and loss of time, the
party reached Kentucky, where the price of sheep
differed but little from that of the Missouri, being from
5s. to 7s. a head. Here the number required was com-

148 - THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

pleted, say 1,475. But on their way back, as Mr.
Bourke had remarked, they had to pay for pasture and
keep every night, and not unfrequently during the day,
losing. many sheep after all. On their way up the
Mississippi, another instance of their good management
transpired. At a certain place they halted to clip or
shear the sheep, and agreed with a person to give him
all the wool at a stipulated price. The following day,
at an hour fixed upon, the money was to have been
paid, and the wool delivered; but the individual not
being able to raise the full amount agreed upon, the
wool was ordered to be burnt on the spot, rather than
sold for a cent less than the price bargained for. In
the mean time a number of poor people had collected
about the place, and made several offers for the wool,
according to their means; their offers, however, falling
short of the original valuation, were rejected with scorn,
and the wool burnt. -

' By the ‘time our friends got back to St. Peter’s with

their flock, they might, had they“purchased on the —

Missouri, have been in Red River. The season was
not only far advanced, but the weather excessively hot;
and, under any circumstances, a journey of 1,500 miles
must have been very trying for the poor sheep, who
are so much the more difficult to manage, as they want
that instinctive apprehension of danger so peculiar to
the deer and goat species. Nor were the actual dangers
of the way of a trifling nature. As the party advanced
” over trackless prairies, they had to force -their way
through oceans of thick and long grass, where a spark
from a, pipe, or the wad of a gun, would have sealed

——

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 149

their doom. These parts likewise abound in a sort of
grass, which, in its ripe state, has barbed and prickly
points, like ears of barley; with these the sheep’s hides
got literally full, and by the action of walking, they
even penetrated their bodies, and caused death. The
destructive effects of this fatal “grass, aided by fatigue
and forced marching, caused the sheep to give up by
tens and by twenties evéry day.

It is sickening to relate, that every sheep which gave
up was doomed to have its throat cut, by order of the
chiefs who had been so unhappily trusted with their
safety. In one morning only, while the party were at
breakfast, the bloody knife settled the account of forty-
four on one spot! Every now and then one or other
of the men had to ride up to the conductor, who kept a
long way ahead, with the news that+so many."of the
sheep had given up. “ Cut their throats and drive on,”
was the reply, without ever stopping or turning round
his head. And although harassed with fatigue, as well
as disabled by the cause we have alluded to, an hour or
two of rest was denied them. The managers were
infatuated with the determination to get back with
all possible speed to Red River, without the least
regard to the lives of the sheep—nay, for one yard
in advance, it mattered not if ten of those innocent
lives were sacrificed. After all the cost and trouble,
~—when out of danger as we may say, and just on the eve
of arriving, —these scenes of cruelty were persisted in, till
af'last, the men themselves becoming disgusted with the
task, refused to use the knife any more; and the
officials had to perform the delicate office themselves.

150 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT.

At length, early in the autumn, and long before the
fall weather sét in, the party reached Red River, their
flock reduced to 251 in number, of which many died
after their arrival. From St. Peter’s to Red River
the road was marked for future travellers by upwards
of 1,200 chrcases.

Notwithstanding the facts we have stated, the com-
mittee of management presented the two leaders of the
expedition with a cordial and unanimous vote of thanks.
The voice of the colonists was universally , against
them, and a vote of censure was demanded; but the -
Governor’s pride was wounded, and without yielding
to these murmurs, he brought the matter to a close
by returning the people’s money.

The next scheme projected by the Governor, who
was as anxious as ever to promote the welfare of the
colony, appeared to most people moderate, reasonable,
and promising. It was another joint-stock concern, to
be called the “Tallow Company.” Its capital was to
consist of 1,0002, divided into two hundred shares of
5L each, The affairs were to be managed by a chair-
man and six directors. The shares, to the amount
subscribed, were paid up at once in cattle, and six
shares qualified any subscriber to be a director. The
general principle of taking in cattle was their age—
none taken under one, nor above five years old. Those
of a year old were valued at 11, two years old at 2/.,
three years old at 32, and so on. The whole herd
consisted of 473 head. The Governor, in a clear and
lucid speech, recited the advantages that would accrue
to the settlement from such an undertaking, if con-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 151

ducted with energy and judgment. The rich pastures
and extensive range of plains in the colony and neigh-
bourhood, led to a universal belief that cattle, in any
numbers, like the wild buffalo of the prairies, might
be raised, as in some parts of New South Wales,
without the aid or trouble of hand-feeding in winter ;
grazing and stock, it was thought, might be increased
to any extent, and tallow and hides become valuable
as articles of export. The wild herbage and grasses
which grow spontaneously everywhere throughout the-
‘boundless plains, far and near, were deemed equal to
any wild pasture in the world; and in this view the
bleakness and dreariness of the climate in our case
was entirely overlooked.

The cattle, in fine, were received, branded with the
initials T. T., signifying Tallow Trade, and, on the
last of April, conveyed ‘to a place of pasture some ten
miles out of the settlement, along the pine hills, and
placed under the care of two herdsmen. On the 6th
of May there fell about eighteen inches of snow—a
circumstance, rather unusual at that advanced season.
This fall of snow was followed by some very cold .,
and stormy weather, and there being at the time
scarcely any grass, twenty-six head died through cold
and hunger—rather a discouraging circumstance at the
beginning. In the earliest seasons there is no shoot
in the grass before the 10th of May, and in late seasons
it is the 20th or the Ist of June before the cattle can
feed. During the summer, however, they did as well
as could be expected, and the undertaking was viewed
favourably by the colonists.

152 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

At the same time the cattle were not left to shift
entirely for themselves during the bleak weather, but
hay was provided for them, and a few roofless stock-
yards railed in for keeping them together at night,
or rather preserving them from the wolves. Their
average allowance was a third of the quantity of hay
usually given to cattle regularly housed and fed;
yet with all this care, the cold of forty-five below
zero was too. much for them. While pent up they
kept as close together for warmth as sheep in a fold,.
and generally passed the night standing; hence, when
turned out in the mornings, they were so benumbed
with cold that they could scarcely walk, and of course
were utterly unable to procure their food in deep snows
during the day. In this half-dead-and-alive manner
they passed the first winter, during which time thirty-
two died of cold. The ears,-horns, hoofs, and tails of
many of them froze and fell off, and the cows lost their
teats; besides which, fifty-three were killed by the
wolves. Total loss the first year, 111. The careless-
ness of -the herdsmen, perhaps, greatly contributed
to this disaster; but the greatest share in it may fairly
- be attributed to the wolves, the dread of whose ravages
_ led to the cattle being cooped up together in a torpid
state all night.

During the second year of this experiment, the cattle
were removed to a new and better grazing ground, at
a greater distance from the settlement, “and, withal,
more sheltered. In place of roofless enclosures, sheds
were built, and as much hay provided as they could’
eat; fresh herdsmen were also engaged, and the cattle

ITS‘ RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. ~ 153°

were driven under shelter every night. As a further
precaution against neglect, it was arranged that each
director in his turn should visit the cattle at weekly
periods; the Governor himself was the first to set
the example, but some of our great men never once
went to see them; and yet those were the very men
who talked loudest at meetings—had most plans in
their heads—the first to speak, the last to act. Under
this defective system, the cold killed, during the second
winter, sixteen, and the wolves twenty of our stock.
Finally it was arranged that the superintendence of
the business should be vested in one director, and
the appointment fell on the writer, who must confess
that the task proved no sinecure. No plan, however,
could be devised to prevent the destructive ravages
of the wolves; the people were discouraged by every
fresh loss, and the business, by mutual consent, was
given up. The herd ‘was then disposed of by auction;
and as the proceeds fell short of the amount put in
by 1371, the Company paid this amount to the share-
holders, whose only sacrifice was the interest of their
money. The Joss on the undertaking, however, could
not have been less than 1,000/. sterling. The bones of
the tallow cattle will mark their grazing ground for
years to come. °
One failure often causes another. During the pro-
gress of the various undertakings we have noticed, all
entered upon with a view to produce some article of
export, the Company, as Sanguine as the colonists them-
selves, were busy in opening a winter road between
Red River and York Factory. | This road was formed
HS

1i4 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT!

by cutting down and clearing away the timber along
the most direct line of communication, a tedious and
costly undertaking, which, however, was attempted.
The object was to facilitate winter travelling along
the lakes and woods, and establish stations or resting
places where hay, water, and shelter could be most
conveniently obtained; also to shorten as much as
possible the length of the land carriage, which it would
have done by a hundred miles. In consequence of the
failure of all the speculations we have described, this
road, after the heavy cost it had entailed upon the
Company, was abandoned as being, if not impracticable,
more costly than the conveyance of goods by water.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 155

CHAPTER XIV.

Contents.—The petty trader—Change of men and change of
measures—The rich and the poor—The shopping confusion—,
Steer a middle course—Company’s tariff—Great promisers
small performers—A petty trader behind his counter—Com-
petition—-Hints--The fur trade— Remarks —Indians— The
awkward Cree question—Useful hints—Alarm—Patrols—The
Saulteaux' in Red River — Guns pointed — Mr. Simpson —
General remarks—Sioux visits —Wannatah—Half-breeds—
Physical demonstrations—Demagogues at work—Manceuvring
—First-rank men—Results.

We have now arrived at the year 1834, making ten
years since the affairs of the colony were entrusted to
the Company’s officers acting for Lord Selkirk. Until
then the practice had been, as shown in a former part of
this history, to supply goods on credit; but now a
ready-money system was introduced, the effect of which
was to curtail the supply of goods to nearly one-half of -
the quantity formerly brought into the colony, in order
to correspond with the amount.of ‘money in circulation.
Consequently goods became all at once very scarce ; and ’
_ the sales being restricted to certain stated days, increased
the evil. It was a time of rejoicing for the rich and of

1 nent

156 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

mourning for the poor, as the shops were emptied by
those who had money at command before the poorer
colonists could obtain half their supplies. The evil was
greatly increased by the crowds of people collected from
all parts of the settlement at the opening of the shops on
the appointed days. To be in time, people travelled all
night, and the rush in the morning to get admittance
could only be checked by locked doors and a guard, and
sometimes the guard would be knocked down and
‘trampled under foot. Many had to dance attendance
for days and nights together, cold, wet, and hungry;
and at last return home, perhaps a distance of twenty
miles, without obtaining their supplies.
The distress and*confusion of this’ system had lasted
for several years, when a few private individuals
gresolved on importing supplies for themselves; and this
becoming the rage, at length every man who could
muster twenty shillings became an importer. The
‘Company, through their new Colonial Governor, Mr.
Christie, who about this time succeeded Mr. McKenzie
in the charge of the colony, afforded every facility to
this new class of traders, allowing individuals to bring
out what they pleased in the Company’s ships, at the
vate of 8 per ton; storage and agency at the port of
York Factory free. Thus eficouraged, they who com-
menced by’ importing for themselves soon enlarged the
field of enterprise, and sent for goods on speculation,
obtaining for. them-money, produce; or labour; ‘according™
to circumstances, but generally all upon credit. This
little accommodating system, commenced at the right
time, gradually diffused much comfort throughout the

ors

Vay

—_

\
\e

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. ~~ ~157

settlement, and gave a happy spur to industry and
enterprise, as it afforded the settlers the means of
obtaining supplies from the petty traders, which the
Company’s ready-money system denied. The first
adventurers did uncommonly well; for when the Com-
pany’s shops were empty they raised their prices, and
made a good business of it. The corrupt system of
taking advantage, however, could not last.

Repeated complaints were addressed to the Company,

. urging them to bring out a more ample supply of goods,

which at length had the desired effect ;_ their shops
were kept full of goods all the year round, at the usual

"rate of 75 per cent. on the London prices. This new

turn of affairs was severely felt by the petty traders,
who raised a hue and cry against the Company, and
accused them of a wish to monopolize all the trade in
goods, as thay did in furs. After all, the change has
“ proved for theiN\advantage, as it obliged them to con-
tract the credit s
goods, like the Company, for ready money only. Since

em, and eventually to sell their

_ that change things go on much better; the petty traders

are now doing a good share of business, live comfort-
ably, and many of them have saved considerable sums
of money. 7

‘We have now to trace upwards to the period at which
we have arrived, another influence to which the colony
was subject—that of the Indian tribes, who belong more

~~ immediately to the soil and neighbourhood. "The

colony, as already remarked, is not only a mere dot on
the mighty map of the universe, but a dot on the map
of Hudson’s Bay: a mere speck, an isolated spot in the

158 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:
—.

. midst of a benighted wilderness, just entering on the

career of civilization. It was only to be expected that a
handful of civilized men thus set down in the midst of a
savage population would be sabject to considerable
annoyance, either from their visits or their threats ; yet
the truth is, these tribes-have given the colonists but
little cause of complaint. It cannot, indeed, be denied
that the settlers have passed many anxious nights and

days in consequence of the proximity of such a people;

but whatever danger may have existed, ‘it has been
diminishing in proportion as the whites have increased
in numbers. At the present time, we may observe, the
conduct of the savages generally—with only one excep-
tion, in fact—has but little influence on the colony either
for good or evil.- It will not be uninteresting, however,
to speak more in detail. >

The chief Indian tribes who inhabit this quarter, ‘and
who occasionally visit, and sometimes annoy the colony,
are the Crees and Assiniboines on the west, the Sault-
eaux on the east, the swampy Crees on the north, and
the proud and haughty Sioux on the south. All these
are more or less friendly. The last-named has been for
ages past the most warlike and powerful nation east of
the Rocky Mountains—perhaps, at the present day, on
the continent; but their physical condition, is fast
changing. They are now divided into many separate
tribes and families, and every division weakens the
national stem; their power is on the decrease,. their
progress is’ westward... They are, nevertheless, still
formidable, and can, when united, muster 2,000 warriors.

But, paradoxical as it may appear, the greatest annoy-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE.. 169

ance to the settlers has proceeded from the tribe most,
friendly to the whites, namely, the Crees on the west.
“To explain this is not difficult. The Cree nation always
claimed Red ‘River as their lands; but Lord Selkirk
having found on” “the soil some Saulteaux as well as
Crees, gave them an interest in the treaty, though, as
they acknowledge to this day, they had no right to the
lands, being originally foreigners. Errors of this kind
cannot always be avoided, and the mistake having beep -
made, the Saulteaux claim a sort of prescriptive right,
rendered as valid, by mere lapse of time, as that of the
Crees themselves: The latter, thus provoked, threaten

. . to expel their rivals from Red River altogether, and the

whites along with them, unless the names of the
Saulteaux chiefs are expunged from the compact, and
the annual payment be made to the Crees only. This
matter, unless a ably settled, may one day cause
much trouble, if not Ploodshed ; indeed, we have seen
the whole settlement in‘ Qn.uproar more “than once on
this very account. It has even proceeded so far that
the settlers, excited with fear, have sought refuge in the
Company’s forts; nay, we have seen the police and

_ settlers too armed, and sent oh scouting parties to scour
the settlement from end to end, and Watch for days and
nights, in consequence of the threats held out by the
Crees, Would it not, then, be an act of: wisdom in the
colonial authorities to remove this grievance, , especially

“as the whole cost for its final settlement would not
exceed at most 1001? The settlers will be justified in
not accepting their title-deeds until the question i8 set
at rest, and their property secure.

160 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

We more than glanced at the character of the
Saulteaux in the first chapter of this work. They are a
turbulent and revengeful people. Many of them abide
in the colony from one end of the year to the other, not
as hunters, nor as labourers, but as vagrants and evil-
doers; they beg, roam about, and annoy the settlers.
To some of them the benefits of education have been
extended; and yet, though fed, clothed, and nursed by
the benevolent hand ‘of charity, they are, after all, the
most debased, vicious, and criminal of all the tribes. Nay,
those who have received the benefits of instruction are,
unfortunately, the worst. There are instances of their
having been condemned for murder; they have been
imprisoned for manslaughter; they have been whipped
for cattle-killing, and punished in various ways for theft
and robbery. They have violated, time after time,
engagements, broken contracts, set the police at defi-
ance, and menaced the civil power; and yet. they are
but a handful, and that handful still allowed to infest
the settlement, ang. often ‘to live at the expense of the
industrious settler. ' ,

The Sioux are a bold and numerous race, whose very
name has been the terror of everyjother nation. They
are inhabitants of the open plains.) War is their pro-
fession; Horses, guns, and hunting} their delight. They
occupy and claim, as their field of chase, all that.
extensive region lying between Pembina on the north

,and St. Peter’s on the south, the centre of their lands
being perhaps 300 miles distant from this colony.
They are light, slender men, quick as thought in their
motions, expert runners, fine horsemen, shy as the

ITs RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 161
wolf, wild “as the buffalo. In general they know
nothing of the luxuries of life, but at Lake Travers a
portion of them have lately been brought within the
limits of civilization. Their improvement is encouraging,
and it is to be hoped that something permanent. will be
effected for their good.

Distant as these Indians are situated, they frequently
visit the colony. Their. paramount object is generally
curiosity and a romantic love of adventure, backed

. sometimes by the desire of gain; for in this country, it is
-customary, in addition to a welcome reception, to bestow
on all strange Indians a fev trifling presents. For a
savage to travel a hundred miles, perhaps through an -
enemy’s country, ostensibly in quest of a little tobacco or
a few loads of ammunition, but really for the fame of the
achievement, is a very common occurrence; and as soon
as the adventurer gets back to his tribe, it is just as
common for him to distribute -freely- the fruits of his
daring among ‘bis friends and countrymen. It is not,
according to Indian ideas, exactly the value of the
articles, but to show his heroic courage, his daring
hardihood, that he travels. All such adventures are-—-——-- -
associated with the national glory, and aye rehearsed
on all public o¢casions to stimulate others to imitate the
example. An: orator always commences his public
harangues by running over such incidents, reminding
his auditory of some glorious deed, some bold adventure.
“ Remember,” he will say, “ when such a scalp was
taken, when such a foe fell under our tomahawks,
whiin such a daring spirit eluded his enemies, “travelled
through their country, and brought us tobacco to smoke

162 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

and ammunition to load our guns. Friends! imitate
the glorious example.”

Mr. Simpson, in his narrative, notices two visits from
_ the Sioux during his residence in the colony in 1834
and 1836. On the first occasion, “A party of six-and-
thirty men, headed by a daring chief, called the Burning
Earth, arrived at Fort Garry. All went on pleasantly,”
Mr. Simpson relates, “till the evening, when a large
party of Saulteaux galloped suddenly into the court.
They were completely armed, and breathed fury and
revenge, having lost forty of their relatives by an
attack of the Sioux a year or two before. We instantly
. stationed a strong guard for the défence of the strangers,
who had thrown themselves on our hospitality. The
great difficulty now was how to get the strangers safely
home again, We supplied them with provisions, some
tobacco, clothing, and ammunition. . . . Perisien and his
half-breeds undertook to conduct the Sioux safely out
into the open plains, where they might set their bush-
fighting foes at defiance. The party had no sooner
crossed the river than a number of the Saulteaux threw
themselves into their canoes on the Assiniboine, a little
distance above, with a view to intercept their retreat.
Observing this maneuvre, I ran towards them, followed
by Mr. McKinlay and a few others, and, levelling our
guns at the men in the canoes, ordered them to turn
back. They angrily complied, when the principal man,
seeing we were but a handful, began to vent threats
against us; but a party opportunely riding up to our
assistance, we carried the old fellow with us to the
establishment, and his followers dispersed.” This is

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 163

Mr. Simpson’s account of the first visit, on which we
have a few observations to offer.

First, “ Perisien and his half-breeds undertook to
conduct the Sioux.” The number who crossed over the
Assiniboine to escort the Sioux under Perisien was fifty-
seven, making, with the Indians, ninety-three armed
men. Indeed, seven or eight guns were all that
remained among nearly 200 persons after the people
crossed over, while more than a hundred Saulteaux, all
armed cap-d-pie, stood in a group alongside of us.

Secondly, “ The party had no sooner crossed the
river.” ‘As soon as the Sioux landed on the opposite
bank, twelve of the Saulteaux embarked in three small
Indian canoes to cross over and have a parting peep at
them; a movement, under all circumstances, not
thought worthy of notice at the time till it derived
importance from a foolish and imprudent act on our
part. Viewing the Saulteaux’ intention in a wrong
light, Mr. Simpson and Mr, McKinlay, to render them-
selves more conspicuous than others, heedlessly * ran
towards them, and pointing their guns at the men in the
canoe, ordered them to turn back,” or they would fire
on them. The uncalled-for threat surprised and alarmed
everyone present. Our people were thunderstruck, and
called out, “Don’t fire! For God’s sake, don’t fire!” In
the bustle and confusion, the Saulteaux, mistaking our
meaning, thought we were all the time calling on them
to fire. Under this erroneous impression, in a- moment
a buzz and bustling of guns among the Indians indicated
their intention in a language not to be mistaken. Had a
gun gone off, in the surly mood manifested by the

ays

164 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT =

Saulteaux at this critical moment, it would have been
the signal for a general massacre, our party at the time
being unarmed; fortunately, however, one of our
friends stepped forward, and having struck down the
muzzle of Mr. Simpson’s gun, all was safe. We had
still some difficulty to appease the chief. The rash and
thoughtless gasconade of pointing the guns drew from
him a pointed challenge. “If you are so fond of
shooting,” said he to the whites, “ come on, and we will
fight it ont.” After some coaxing and explanation,
however, the chief shook hands with us, and we parted
good friends. ,

On the second occasion, ‘Mr. Simpson-relates, « The
Sioux came in double numbers, Better armed, and led
by Ulaneta, the greatest chief of thei whole nation.”
Not “ Ulaneta,” we would remark, but Wannatah, was
the name of this great Sachem. The party under
Wannatah had approached the settlement, as we learned

- afterwards, in a rather suspicious manner. They were
250 strong; but to avoid giving alarm, the sagacious
chief had left in ambush 180 of his followers, and
reached the fort with only 70, and perhaps it was to the
very friendly manner in which he and his men were
received and dismissed, that we owed our escape from
any further trouble. Since that time they have paid
two other visits to the colony, of which we shall speak
in another place.

Mr. Simpson goes on to observe, “It gives me
sincere pleasure. to say that a reconciliation has at
length been effected between these lately inveterate and
bloody enemies, the Saulteaux and Sioux nations.”

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 165

Now we are extremely puzzled to comprehend what
grounds Mr, Simpson could have had for supposing that
a peace or reconciliation had “been effected.” The
impression, in our opinion, must have been purely ideal ;
for war and deadly animosity have ever existed between
_ them, and every year widens the breach. Without
further remark on this subject, we pass on to its kindred
topic, the half-breeds or plain hunters—a class of people
whom, like the Indians, we have already noticed from
timé to time in these pages. i
At the commencement of the colony, and long after
the irregularity and disorder which mark its early history
were superseded, in some measure, by the better
management of the Company, the half-caste children, or
half-breeds, as they are more commonly called, were
found extremely useful: and, according to their useful-
ness, they were indulged, pampered, and spoiled. They

were then but few in number, and the produce of their '

hunts, consisting of dried buffalo meat and grease, was
in great demand. According to the custom of the
country, it was pounded and amalgamated into a strong
and wholesome food, called pemican, and made up into
bags of about 100 pounds weight, and sold by the
freemen or hunters at 2d. per pound. This food is
generally: used by voyageurs and trip-men, Xnd though
the buffaloes were numerous, the supply was never
adequate to the demand; they who devoted themselves
to the chase being but few in number.~~Proportionately
great, therefore, was the encouragement always held out
to the hunter. He was the man everyone looked up to—
a favourite in every place he visited; and the fame he

166 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

thus acquired drew thither, in addition to its natural
increase, others of the same profession from the four
quarters of Rupert’s Land; so that the half-breed class
in Red River soon multiplied and became a numerous
and formidable party. _

The hunters increased; not so the voyageurs and
trip-men, who were the principal consumers of their
produce; and at length, instead of adequate supply,
inadequate demand was the complaint. This want of a
market or outlet was the cause eventually of a bad
feeling on the part of the half-breeds towards their
benefactors, the rulers of the country; and here it is
necessary to bear in mind the fact, that these people
were not regular settlers, but intruders, and had
wedged themselves in among the settlers when they _
were not wanted, spoiling their market in fact. It was
with just reason, then, the agricultural class complained.

In this state of things, the Company very properly
raised its voice against the vagrant habit of going to the
buffalo im such numbers, and overstocking the market;
and their advice being disregarded by the half-breeds,
théy, in fine, absolutely refused to take the pemican off
their hands. The half-breeds pleaded hard, and here
was the point at which all the subsequent difficulties
commenced, A bold and firm stand at this time. had
the authorities known their position, would have settled
the matter; but rather than push things to the extreme,
the Company broke through the principle they them-
selves had laid down, by doling out favours to this one
and that one, till the favour became a demand, and the
demand grew to a threat. Time and numbers increased

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 167

the boldness of the half-breeds, until it became their
habit to bully the Company into their views.

Accustomed to depend on the Company, they seldom
thought for themselves, and could never be persuaded
to keep a supply of their own produce for the use of
their families when the season was against them. Their
usual resource, when starvation pressed hard on them,
was to renew their threats. The writer has known
them, in the fall of the year, to compel the Company to
purchase the little grain they had raised, as well as their
plain provisions, and the next spring force their rulers,
with similar threats, to give them back again the grain
for seed, as well as the provisions for food. They did
not, indeed, resort to violence, for their demands, how-
ever unreasonable, were always complied with, rather
than risk an outbreak, the consequences of which none
could have told. ; ;

From what has been stated, it must appear evident
that it required no ordinary forbearance on the part of
the governing power to manage these people, so as to
preserve peace and order; but, generally speaking, both
were maintained till the period at which we have
arrived (1834), when -the irflammable materials took
fire, blazed out, and we had the first hostile demonstra-
tion of the half-breeds. ~The exciting cause was a very

trivial circumstance, alluded to in Mr. Thomas Simp-
son’s narrative, who placed himself in the situation of an
aggressor by chastising, on the spot, a half-breed named
Larocque, who had provoked him by his insolent and
overbearing conduct.

No sooner had the news of this daring act spread

Le
168 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: .

abroad, than the- half-breeds met in council, and in
conclusion demanded that Mr. Simpson should be
forthwith delivered up to them, to be dealt with as they
might think proper, in retaliation for the pounding he .
had given their friend; or if this demand were not
complied with, they would destroy Fort Garry, and
take him by force. This threat was transmitted ‘to the
Governor of the colony, and almost at the same moment
the war-song and war-dance were commenced in the
fashion of the Indians. The whole half-breed race of
French extraction were in motion, and a buzz of anxiety

pervaded the settlement. Several messages now passed

to and feibetawe yeen the parties to no purpose, and it was
finally resolved to send a deputation to the aggrieved
party, if possible, to settle the dispute before it was too
late. With this purpose, Mr. Governor Christie, Mr.
Chief Factor Caméron, Robert Logan, Esq., and the
writer, left Fort Garry at ten o’clock at night, and a
eold and stormy winter night it was.

On arriving at the place where the hostile party were
assembled, we were struck with their savage appear-
ance. They resembled more a troop of furies than
human beings, all occupied in the Indian dance. As
the arguments upon which we entered would only tire
the reader, we shall ‘pass: ‘them by, simply remarking,
that reason is but a _feeble _ Weapon against brute
force. Nevértheless, Aifter a two hgurs’ parley, reason
triumphed, and we got the ‘knotty point settled by
making a few trifling concessions, taking no small merit |
0 ourselves for our diplomatic success, We must con-
fess, however, that the bearing of the half-breeds

ITS RISE, TROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 169

became haughtier than ever, for the spring was no
sooner ushered in than another physical demonstration
took place ‘at the gates of Fort Garry. This was the
introduction of a new series of demands:—1. Not con-
tent with getting their provisions sold, they raised the i
price. 2. They demanded an export trade, although
they~had nothing to eat, much less to sell. And 3.
They protested against any import duty on goods from
the United Statés: Demand after demand now followed
in close succession. ‘ These were all feelers sent forth
covertly by designing and disaffected demagogues, who
made dupes of the silly’ half-breeds to answer their
own vile purposes, by always pushing them forw. rard in
the front rank to screen themselves; yet, during ‘all
these hostile attempts and, foolish demands, no act of
outrage was committed. Left to themselves, the half-
breeds are credulous and noisy, but are by no means-a -
bad people. As a proof of this, in what country, with-
out even the shadow of power to control violence, would
so many hostile movements have been made and no
actual mischief? With all their threats, they harmed
neither man nor beast.’ They touched not, tasted not,
nor did they handle anything but what was thejr own. .
We shall, however, resume this subject again. {

. , t

170 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER Xv.

Corrents.—Political aspect of things—Colony changes masters—
The costly child—Value of the colony—-A step-mother’s care
—The political miracle—The Company’s liberality—An over-

. ruling power—The mystery—-Ground-work of law and order
—Prefatory addrese—Constitution of first council—Law enact-
ments—Their tendency—Presbyterians and their minister —
The parson’s justification—-The Reverend Mr. Cockran—The
Presbyterians renew their spplication—Mr. Governor Christie’s
policy — The English missionaries—Remarks— Change of
opinions—More of form than reality—Emigration—The cause

"" —The coincidence—Things as they are—Ariosto and his tempest,
a type of parties in Red River.

e es

We have now arrived at the period (1835) from which

the commencement of constitutional or legal rights may .

be said to date, and may therefore, in few words, sum

up the previous history of the colony. For the first
ten or twelve years, it was under the management of

Lord Selkirk’s authority, as lord paramount; and after

that, in consequence of his death, it fell into the hands

of his Lordship’s executors, who found it convenient to
transfer the government of its affairs into the hands of
the Company, as noticed in the last chapter. This
arrangement lasted about twelve years more, till the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. Vio

present time, when we have to regard it ds the property

of the Hudson’s Bay Company by right of purchase.
Like the great Astor, with his Pacific Fur Company

scheme, Lord Selkirk chose a very bad time for planting

‘his infant colony. Astor’s project was set on foot, not

at the end, but at the beginning of a war, and that war
thwarted his views and swept his grand project before
it. The juncture chosen by his Lordship was equally
sinister to his designs, for he began to establish his
devoted colony in a time of lawless strife, which
snapped asunder the cord of social intercourse, baffled
his views, and opposed his best interests. We dllude
in particular to the lawless conduct of the North-West
Company, as described in the earlier part of our history ;
but apart from that, the distance and other difficulties
were almost insuperable. By the authority of his
presence, and his unremitted devotion to the colony,
Lord Selkirk must nevertheless have ultimately
triumphed over all difficulties had he lived. It will be
admitted there was reason enough for his solicitude in
behalf of the enterprise, when it is considered that this
favourite child of his Lordship’s cost him, from first to
last, no less a sum than 85,0002 sterling ; an amount
the colony would not have realized, had it been sold off
at auction, even twenty years after it was founded.

The government of the colony under the agency of
the Company, before it became their own,’was far from
satisfactory, as we have seen. Although the troubles
arising from the opposition had long ceased, and peace
throughout the length and breadth of the land had
been, restored, yet it was found that the colony, under

172 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

their jurisdiction, experienced but the cool and languid
care of a step-mother. Everything was attempted, but
everything failed; chiefly, as we have seen, through the
want of zeal and perseverance. Hence its general
character remained as it was, without making one step
in advance: as gldéomy and as forbidding as ever.
Such, then, were the prospects of the colony at this
date, when it fell into the harids of the Company. But
it is a common saying, that people take more interest
in what is their own than what belongs to another;
hence it was to be hoped, and. the hope has been
realized, that the colony would see better days under its
new masters.

From a perusal of the preceding chapter, and other
transactions up till the present year, the absence of
Jaws and municipal regulations must appear but too
evident. In a country without laws, there can scarcely
be ordinary security; nor indeed have we ever seen so
much as a camp of Indians with only their own moral
sense to rule them; but always with certain laws and
regulations for their government, and for the punishment
of offenders. Yet, in this settlement, the contrary fact is
remarkable. Up till the period at which we have arrived,
the inhabitants may be said to have lived without laws
and without protection, simply and solely depending on
the good feelings and faith of the people themselves. This
fact—we might call it, political miracle—may be regarded
as a phenomenon in history: that any community, much
more a colony, could have held together, morally and
politically, in spite of itself, we may say, in spite of
human measures, without protection and without laws,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 173

during a period of twenty-four years; showing, that
"whatever the state of society may be, the members
soon learn that it is the interest of all to cultivate and
preserve peace. It has been so in this remote and
isolated spot. And the example may be worthy of
imitation.

We onght, however, to repeat, what we have already i
noticed, that for several years past a few councillors,:"
to assist the Governor, some few constables too, had
been nominally appointed; and this little machinery of
government had dragged along under what has been
very properly called the smoothing system, or rather no
system at all; yet for several years it worked more
or less to the satisfaction of the people, which is the
great end of all legislation and law. All points hitherto
‘in dispute were settled by the Governor himself, or not
settled at all—as oftén the one as the other—and yet
peace was maintained. But the time having come,
when the smoothing system would no longer work
satisfactorily, other means were necessary, by the
adoption of which law and order were for the first time
established in the settlement.

During all these political changes the colonists were
kept in the dark, never having been put in possession
of their intellectual rights, by knowing what was going
on, or to whom the colony belonged. Nor was it till
many years after the settlement became virtually the
Company’s own property, that the fact was made known
to the people, and then by mere chance. ‘Till this
eventuality, the people, were under the persuasion that
the colony still belonged to the executors of Lord

174 THE “Ye RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Selkirk, and were often given to understand so. By
this political finesse, or shall we rather call it, political
absurdity, the Company preserved themselves clear of
all responsibility, whatever transpired. Did they
remove any grievance or assist the colonists? It was
looked upon as purely gratuitous on their part. Whereas,
had the people known the relative position in which
they stood to the Company, they would no doubt, as a
matter of course, have insisted at an earlier period on
what was their undoubted right, as subjects.

But to return. The first step taken by the Company
after its new acquisition, was to organize something like
local regulations, courts of justice, and a code of laws
for the colony. To carry out these measures, new
councillors, selected out of the more influential inhabit-
ants in the colony, were nominated and commissioned
by the committee in London, this year, and these
officials, with the Governor-in-Chief at their head, were
to constitute a legislative council, with power to make
Jaws in criminal as well as civil matters. To give effect
to the new order of things, a council was convened at
Upper Fort Garry on the 12th day of February 1835,
and here we shall present our readers with the opening
address of the President of the. Council, now Sir
George Simpson, which will confirm all we have stated
as to the real condition of affairs at that time.

“Gentlemen,” said Sir George, “in order to guard
as much as possible against misapprehension within
doors, or misrepresentation out of doors, on the subjects
which I am now about to bring under your consideration,
I shall thus briefly notice them. From their importance,

TTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 175

they cannot fail of calling forth due attention, and
from the deep and lively interest you all feel in the
welfare and prosperity of the colony, I am satisfied you
will afford me the benefit of your assistance and support
towards carrying into effect such measures as may
appear to you best calculated, under existing circum-
stances, to answer evéry desirable object.

«The population of this colony is become so great,
amounting to about 5,000 souls, that the personal
influence of the Governor, and the little more than
nominal support afforded by the police, which, together
with the good feeling of the people, have heretofore
been its principal safeguard, are no longer sufficient to
maintain the tranquility and good government of the
settlement ; so that although rights of property have of
late been frequently invaded, and other serious offences
been committed, I‘am concerned to say, we were under
the necessity. of allowing them to pass unnoticed,
because we have not the means at command of enforcing
obedience and due respect, according to the existing
order of things. ,

* Under such circumstances, it must be evident to
one and all of you, that it is quite impossible society
can hold together; that the time is at length arrived
when it becomes necessary to put the administration
of justice on a more firm and regular footing than

_heretofore, and that immediate steps ought to be taken
to guard against dangers from abroad or difficulties
at home, for the maintenance of good order and tran-
quility, and for the security and protection of lives and

property.”

176 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

oak
Consrrrution or THE Frese Counctt.

Sir George Simpson, Governor of Rupert's Land ...... President.
Alexander Christie, Governor of Assiniboine (the

Colony ) ...cssssecseccscccccessstecnssesnsascneerasersereneees Councillor.
The Right Reverend the Bishop of Juliopolis, now

of the North-West ............sssessssccsecsssecvssecesseeee Councillor.
The Reverend D. T. Jones, Chaplain to the Houour-

able Hudson’s Bay Company ......sssscssesserecesseees Councillor.

The Reverend William Cockran, Assistant Chaplain... Councillor.
James Bird, Esq., formerly Chief Factor, Hudson's

Bay Company ........:cccsccsscesseseccssssscsarseceseseseese Councillor.
James Sutherland, Esq..........csccesssseseseeeseesesenenses Councillor.
W. H. Cook, Esq. ......ccccccsssesseceseeseeseaaeeesasneeteeas Councillor.
John Pritchard, Esq.........:.sccsscssesssssecsscovsnteneaes Councillor. ~
Robert Logan, Esq. .ccccccccccsssses cceseessrenseeseveers Councillor.
Alexander Ross, Esq., Sheriff of Assiniboine............ Councillor.
John Mc Cullum, Esq., Coroner .... ....sseccessereeeeeese Councillor.
John Bunn, Esq., Medical Adviser ........:cceccsesessens Councillor.
Andrew McDermot, Esq., Merchant .........:cecceeeeeee Councillor.
Cuthbert Grant, Esq., Warden of the Plaing............ Councillor.

Although the councillors thus appointed were
undoubtedly the men of most influence in the settlement,
yet their influence being all on one side, generally
speaking, either sinecurists or paid servants of the
Company, they did not carry the public feeling with
them, consequently were not, perhaps, the fittest persons,
all things considered, to legislate for the colony. Profes-
sional men, and old fur-traders, had but little experience
in colonial affairs. The people knew this, and knowing
it, they never placed\that confidence in the council that
they would have done had its members been taken
from all classes, and not exclusively from the side of
the ruling power.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 177

The constitution and working of this council provoked
the first desire of the people for representative govern-
ment; and although we do not altogether approve of
such a system, nor think it the best in the present state
of the colony, yet it may be forced on the people as the
best possible, by foolish and oppressive acts. To guard
against such, the sooner the people have a share in their
own affairs-the better; for to repeat the oft-quoted
political maxim, it is only fair that those who have to
obey the laws should have a voice in making them. It
is said, indeed, that a man who contributes, by his vote,
to the passing of a Taw, has himself made the law;
and in obeying it, obeys but himself. Whether or not
this is a mere play on words, it is certainly fair play;
and if order requires that a people should ask, no more,

-they will of a certainty be contented with no less.
Who is it that does not know, that laws and equitable
justice, like men and money, are the elements of a
country’s strength —that strength on which constitutional
liberty depends; whereas the contrary is the utter
prostration of political freedom and moral independence.
But to return to the council.

At this meeting a number of enactments were
formed, and passed into law; most of which gave
general satisfaction. We shall here enumerate a few
of them. .

Ist.—That an efficient and disposable force be-
embodied, to be styled a volunteer corps, to consist of
sixty officers and privates, to be at all times ready to act
when called upon; and to be paid as follows :—com-
manding officer, 201. per annum; sergeants, 10/.; and

178 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

privates, 62. sterling, besides extra pay for serving writs.
When not so employed, their time to be their own.
Of this corps the writer was appointed commanding .
officer. _ - .

2nd.—That the settlement be divided into four
districts: the first to extend from the Image Plain
downwards; the second from the Image Plain to the
Forks; the third from the Forks upwards, on the main
river; and the fourth the White Horse Plains, or
Assiniboine River; and that for each of the said districts,
a magistrate be appointed. That James Bird, Esq.,
be justice of the peace for the first district; James
Sutherland, Esq., for the second; Robert Logan, Esq.,
for the third; and Cuthbert Grant, Esq., for the fourth.
These magistrates to hold quarterly courts of summary
jurisdiction on four successive Mondays ; to be appointed
according to the existing order of precedence, in the
four sections; beginning with the third Monday of
January, of April, of July, and of October.

3rd.—That the said courts have power to pronounce
final judgment in all civil cases, where the debt or
damage claimed may not exceed five pounds; and in all
trespasses and misdemeanours, which, by the rules and
regulations of the district of Assiniboine, not being
repugnant to the laws of England, may be punished by
a fine not exceeding the afgyesaid sum of five pounds.

4th.—That the said courts be empowered to refer
any case of doubt or difficulty to the supreme tribunal
of the colony, the Court of Governor and Council of

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT ‘STATE. 179

court, and a written intimation of the same under the
hands of a majority of the three sitting magistrates, at
least one whole week before the commencement of the _
said quarterly session, and this without being compelled
to state any reasons for so doing.

5th.—That the Court of Governor and Council, in its
judicial capacity, sit on the third Thursday of February,
of May, of August, and November; and at such other
times as the Governor-in-Chief of Rupert’s Land, or,
in his absence, the Governor of Assiniboine, may
deem fit. :

6th.—That in all contested civil cases, which may
involve claims of more than ten pounds, and in all
criminal cases, the verdict of a jury shall determine the
fact or facts in dispute.

7th.—That a public building intended to answer the
double purpose of a court-house and gaol, be erected
as early as possible at the Forks of the Red and
Assiniboine Rivers. That in order to raise funds for
defraying such expenses as it may be found necessary
to incur, towards the maintenance of order, and the
erecting of public works, an import duty shall be
levied on all goods and merchandise of foreign manu-
facture imported into Red River, either for sale or
private use, at 74 per cent. on the amount of invoice;
and further, that an export duty of 74 per cent. be
levied on all goods and stores, or supplies, the growth,
produce, or manufacture of Red River.

At the close of the business, Governor Simpson
intimated that the fur trade would make a grant of
3001, in aid of public works in Red River; on this

180 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

being announced, a vote of thanks was returned to the
Governor and Council of Rupert’s Land, for their
liberal grant.-‘ The Council then adjourned. The
liberality of the Company to the colonists has already
been shown-in many instances; in the affairs of the
Buffalé“Wool Company; in the tdllow trade concern;
the’ winter road ; sheep speculation ; experimental farms ;
and a thousand other instances. But we have not yet
done with the resolutions in council: a remark or two
on them may be necessary. .

First. The people looked with a rather jealous eye
on the constitution of the new Council, by observing
that the folks in power, Church and State linked tegéther,
were the only party represented. .

Secondly. The heavy duty of 73 per cent. on ‘all
imports was aimed against the petty traders, and, in
consequence, unpopular. The like duty of 734 per
cent. on the exports of Red River was looked upon as
a foolish and impolitic thing in itself; although at the
time it could do neither good nor harm, there being
virtually nothing to export; but if there had, the law was
calculated to operate against the colony, against political
economy, and against the best interests of the people.

There is in general a great, and: decided want of
political unity among parties in Red River; arising
from pursuits, interests, and feelings,’ totally different
from each other. Three distinct parties may be named—
the Company, the farmers, and the hunters, who all act
on the principle of free agents; each for itself. The
agricultural party, and the hunting party united, form
the great body of the population; while the governing

~~
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 18]

party or Company, as fur traders, are as widely
separated from both, as one part of the population from
the other. To have dealt out even-handed justice to
all these conflicting interests, they ought to have been
equally represented in Council. Nevertheless, the state
of things was evidently improved, and as a whole, the
present arrangements worked tolerably well. We here
dismiss the subject for a season, and take up the all-
absorbing and kindred topic of the Scotch settlers and
their minister, of which we have almost lost sight.

The introduction of laws and regulations into the
colony imparted a degree of confidence that all would
now work well in Church as well as in State, and that
the poor and neglected Presbyterians might, even at the
eleventh hour, be put in possession of their rights. The
current, however, still ran strong against them. The
English missionaries were furious against every other
creed but their own, and especially against the Presby-
terians; knowing well that the introduction of a Presby-
terian minister into the settlement would break down
the stronghold of exclusiveness, and put an end to that
undue influence which had so long deprived them of a
clergyman of their own persuasion. Mr. Jones, we
ought to observe, had been succeeded by another
missionary, the Reverend Mr. Cockran, a man of
pious character, indefatigable in his zeal for religion,
but especially zealous as a Church of England man.
- He was possessed of many good qualities, but in
religious matters wedded to the dogma of exclusive-
ness, and strongly prejudiced against everything that
he regarded as sectarian.

182 - TIME RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

On seeing that Mr. Jones, from a feeling of Christian
charity, as well as motives of policy, towards his
Presbyterian hearers, had deviated, in some small
degree, from the Liturgy and Homilies of his church,
Mr. Cockran felt uneasy, nor did he repress what he
felt; although he, too, as we shall hereafter see,
gradually fell into Mr. Jones's steps himself. The
rule of action by which the latter was guided is
admirably expressed in his own words: “‘ We must,”
said he, “make ourselves useful; we must be guided
by circumstances if we would do good. I have
preached to the Presbyterians these many years now;
I have done everything in my power, in every possible
way, to gain them over to the simple and beautiful
forms of our church service; but all in vain. These
people brought their religion to the country along with
them, and are conscientiously wedded to the rites
and discipline of the Presbyterian form of worship ;
and nothing will make them forsake the church of
their forefathers. Fourteen years’ experience convinces
me that any further attempt is utterly useless, utterly
hopeless; for not one of them, either young or old, up
to this hour, will use our prayer-book. They are
obstinate in the extreme; yet as soon as I was made
sensible that their obstinacy arose from conscientious
motives, I did sympattiise with them; I was constrained
to relax a little in the outward forms of our Church,
and I have never regrétted it; for ever since all has
gone on admirably well, and I hope I have done good
by so doing. We must try and-gain souls; we must
follow the example of the Apostles—‘ Therefore to the

ceo

a”
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 183

‘weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I
am made all things to all men, that I might by all
means save some.’ I Cor. ix., 22.”

But Mr. Cockran at first thought otherwise. “I will
preach to them,” said he, with some warmth, “ the
truths of the gospel, and they must listen to me; they
have nothing to do with our forms; I will not allow
them an inch of their own will;” and sure enough he
handled’ the Scotch settlers and their Presbyterian
notions pretty roughly. Nevertheless, of all the Eng-
lish missionaries that ever-came to Red River, he was
for a long time the greatest favourite. This was due to
his earnestness, his candour, and his zeal as a minister,
qualities for which every one esteemed him, while it
was obvious that, his strong opposition to the Presby-
terian party weakened his hands in the ministry, and
made the Scotch settlers more and more anxious for a
pastor of their own. In fine, the return to a stricter
observance of the ritual, after the departure of Mr.
Jones, Kindled a new flame between the preacher and
his hearers.

The Presbyterian party renewed the application for
their minister through Mr. Governor Christie, a task
which had always to be performed on the arrival of a
new governor. The result was the same as heretofore ;
the applicants being coolly advised to apply to the
executors of Lord Selkirk.

Mr.-Christie was, nevertheless, a kind urbane man—
nay, he was himself a Presbyterian ; but allowed policy
to rule his conduct, and went jogging on hand and hand
with the men of the day, while the poor Scotch had to

184 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

battle the watch themselves as they best could. Thus
backed, as it were, by the man in power, the church
folks took a bolder stand than ever, and smiled at our
repeated disappointments. They now thought that all
was secure, and on the strength of that security sneered
at our efforts, and boldly told us that we should never
see the day we looked for. Such mode of reasoning
served rather to exasperate than to remove the existing
difference, and we nced not say that religious animosity,
like civil war, demoralizes a community, by creating
and mixing itself up with the worst feelings of our
naturé. In this case it paralyzed the energies of
industry, and snapped asunder the chain which linked
the social ties of society together. In the very year we
are writing, no less than 114 persons, chiefly of the
Presbyterian party, left the settlement for the United
States, carrying along with them much valuable pro-
perty; and others are preparing to follow their example.
The effect of this movement will operate materially
against those that remain, by reducing their numbers
and weakening their efforts.

On the occasion just named, we were struck by a
singular coincidence. The same number of cattle were
carried off to the States by the emigrating party that
the Americans brought into Red River some thirteen
years before; but the Yankees had the upper hand of
us in one respect, for they got from us more pounds
sterling for theirs, than they gave us dollars for ours;
and yet, on the whole, we were the greatest gainers by
the speculation,

Mr. Cockran, after all, was not relentless, but being

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 185°

aman of kind heart, and willing to do good, he finally
relaxed in his forms, and, like his predecessor, met the
people half way. The difficulty forcibly reminds us of
Ariosto describing his tempest: he tried it sixteen
different times, and as many different ways for aught
we know, and the last was found the best. The Presby-
terians of Red River, it would appear, have taken from
him the familiar motto, “Try it again,” which encou-
rages them to persevere, hoping the last will be the
successful effort; while those who oppose them’ seem
actuated by a similar spirit, “ To resist again.” But we
have not exhausted this subject, and shall in due time
resume it again.

186 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

CHAPTER XVI.

Contents.—First petty jury—The flogger flogged ~Summer
frosts—Crops destroyed—Chain of cross purposes—Preamble—
The three imposing months—The stranger—Mosquitoes—Bull-
dogs—The black fly—The ramble—Canadians and half-breeds
—Their mode of life—-The man of consequence— Gossiping
parties—Amusements—The effects of habit—Children in their
infancy — Votaries “of pleasure—Wood rafters —Squatters—
Result—Scene changed—Europeans—Visit the Indians—Fish
on dry land—Tea-drinking in the wilderness—Indians and the
aurora borealis—Superstition — The Scotch in Red River—
Domestic comforts —New habits—The Sabbath-day — The
agreeable mistake.

THE new laws were not brought into operation without
difficulty, as may be supposed, after crimes and mis-
demeanours had been so long committed with impunity.
The first petty jury was empanneled on the 28th day
. of April 1836, in the case of a man named Louis St.
Denis, a French Canadian, who had been tried, con-
victed of theft, and, besides some further punishment,
sentenced to be publicly fogged: which sentence was
carried into effect on that day. The police being all in
attendance, the utmost order was maintained till the
close of the scene, when the popular excitement assumed
a somewhat threatening aspect.

The unusual spectacle of a white man being stripped

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 187

and flogged before the public gaze had raised a spirit of
indignation against the poor flogger. His task being
accomplished, he no sooner stepped outside the ring, or.
police circle, than one fellow called out, Bourreau, Bour-
reau;”* another threw a chip at him; a third improved
upon the example by throwing mud, while the bystanders,
with one voice, called aloud, “ Stone him! Stone him!”
The poor frightened German, for such he was, ran, as
he probably thought, for his life, and had not gone many
yards before he stumbled and fell headlong into a hole,
which gave rise to an uproarious burst of laughter,
mingled with hisses. Here, however, the police in-
terfered, and the bespattered official being dragged out
of the pit, was locked up in the fort till the people
dispersed. So strong was the public feeling against
this mode of punishment, that some five years afterwards,
when the same disagreeable service. was required to be
performed, not a person could be got to act out-doors.
On this occasion, therefore, the flogging took place
within the prison walls, the official being masked, and
for further security, locked up till dusk, when he was
dismissed unknown.

We have already more than once noticed the slow
and uncertain progress of agriculture in the colony,
and this year have to record as many failures, disap-
pointments, and cross purposes, as ever befell the
settlement; including the partial failure of diet from
- the plains, and the loss of the crops.

On the 7th of June we had a heavy fall of snow, and
on the following day the ice was the thickness of a penny

* Hangman.

188 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

piece on the water; but still nothing serious happened
to damp our hopes, till the 19th of August, when the
severity of the frost blasted our fairest prospects, by
destroying the crops. Misfortune, as often remarked,
seldom comes in one single form at the same time, and
the old proverb was verified by the defection in the
same month of the half-breeds—or rather, that portion
of them engaged as trip-men to York Factory—who now
refused to perform a second trip, although engaged and
paid for it as usual. After some delay, they were
restored to order, without the serious results that were
feared; but it was judged necessary that Mr. Grant,
the under sheriff, and warden of the plains, should accom-
pany them to prevent any further outbreak. The month
indeed seemed fated to cross purposes; and before it
expired, our annual ship was driven from her moorings
at York by a storm, and the captain, without making any
effort to regain his position, and without that hardihood

‘and resolution which belong to his class, returned to
England, carrying along with him the Red River
supplies for the year.

The season continued cold, drizzly, and frosty, till the
latter end of October, which added another item to the
catalogue of evils by destroying the fall fisheries: after
that, however, the weather became unusually mild and
pleasant, insomuch that men were whistling at the
plough on the 12th of November, and hauling with
their carts, without snow, till the 14th of January
1837, a most unusual circumstance in the colony.
With the introduction of this year, we may conveniently
give our readers a picture of life as it is in Red River.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 189

A. stranger entering Red River in June would be
dazzled at the prospect around him. June, July, and
August, are the three imposing months, when nature
appears luxuriant in the extreme. The unbounded
~ pasture, cattle everywhere grazing without restraint, the
crops waving in the wind, every species of vegetation rich
in blossom, and fertile as imagination itself. To enjoy
these scenes as completely as possible, the writer invited
a friend newly arrived in the place to accompany him
from one end of the settlement to the other. The
summer picture of this colony is truly delightful and
enchanting, but like others of the same kind, after the
first burst of admiration, the senses tire of viewing the
same objects over and over again, and one day’s ride
exhausts the store of novelty. For this pleasure, indeed,
the traveller must sometimes pay dearly; for should he
deviate ever so little from the public road, or saunter
from the path, he is beset and tormented with the
blood-thirsty musquetoes, rising in clouds at every step;
surely the most unconquerable and fiercest people on
earth, for though you kill a million, and but one remain
alive, the fearless enemy never retreats, but advances
either to conquer or die. In July also, the horse-fly,—
called in Red River, bull-dog—are very numerous, and
annoying to cattle in particular. In August, both
musquetoes and bull-dogs disappear; and then the black
house-fly takes their place, filling the dwelling-houses
with their swarms, till the month of October, or the
cold, removes them. Picture-frames, windows, tables,
victuals, are not here the only objects of attack, but the
owner’s face and hands suffer also; while his ears are

190 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

stunned with the perpetual hum, which can only be
compared to the buzz of a disturbed bee-hive. These
unwelcome visitors are destructive of all -peace and
comfort, whether sleeping or waking, during their con-
tinuance in the colony.

To return to my friend, 1 must here apologize for
speaking in the first person as a matter of present
convenience. Having taken a ramble on the highway,
and satisfied his curiosity as to'things generally, we
halted at the Forks. This place, as has already been
described, is the nucleus and chief rendezvous of the
settlement—the division line between the Europeans
and Canadians. Here the beaver hat and silken gown,
the papered walls and carpeted floors meet the eye.
Different this from what things were some ten or
twelve years before, when I first visited the place!

From Fort Garry I invited my friend to accompany
me on a visit to the upper part of the settlement, .as he
was anxious to know what kind of life the Canadians
and half-breeds lead in this part of the world. We
had not proceeded far before we met a stout, well-made,
good-looking man, dressed in a common blue capote, red
belt, and corduroy trousers; he spoke French, and was
a Canadian. That, said I, pointing to his dress, is the
universal costume of both Canadians and half-breeds,
the belt being the simple badge of distinction; the
former wearing it generally over, and the latter as
generally under the capote. The stature of the half-
breeds is of the middle size, and generally slender,
countenances rather pleasing than otherwise. In
manners mild, unassuming, not to say effeminate, and

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 191

somewhat bashful, On the whole, however, they are a
sedate and grave people, rather humble than haughty
in their demeanour, and are seldom seen to laugh
among strangers. The women are invariably fairer
than the men, although at all seasons almost equally
exposed. They are not, however, high coloured, but
rather pale and sallow ; resembling in their complexion
more the natives of Spain, or the south of F rance, than
the swarthy Indian here. I have, indeed, seen indivi-
duals as fair, and the tint of their skin as delicate, as
any European lady.

The half-breed women are also slender, still more so
than the men, but exceedingly well-featured and comely
—many even handsome ; and those who have the means
are tidy about their person and dress. They are fond
of show, and invariably attire themselves in gaudy
prints, and shawls, chiefly of the tartan kind—all, as a
matter of course, of foreign manufacture; but, like
Indian women, they are very tenacious of the habits
and customs of their native country. The blanket as
an overall, is considered indispensable; it is used on all
occasions, not only here, but throughout the continent,
both at home and abroad ; if a stick is wanted for the
fire, or a pleasure party is to be joined away from home,
the blanket is called for. This invariable habit gives
them a stooping gait while walking, and the constant
use of the same blanket, day and night, wet and dry,
is supposed to give rise to consumptive complaints,
which they are all more or less very subject to. At the
age of thirty years, they generally look as old as a
white woman of forty; perhaps from the circumstance

192 THE RED RIVER- SETTLEMENT:

that they marry young, and‘keep their children long
at the breast.

We have noticed the extreme bashfulness peculiar to
the half-breeds, or what might more properly be termed
their false modesty or shyness, similar to what is
observable among the Formosans. It is exhibited in
almost every circumstance; for, although many of them
understand and speak both French and English, yet
they are averse to speak any other language than their
mother tongue. And if the traveller chance to meet
one of them on the road, she will instantly shroud her
head in her blanket, and try to pass without speaking.
Speak to her, and she looks tothe ground. Stop, and
she turns to one side, and ten to one passes without
answering you. For one of her own countrymen,
however, a smile, a “ bon jour,” and a shake of the hand
is always ready.

Such is the roving propensity of these people that
they are never in their proper element, unless gossiping
from house to house. Like a bird in the bush, they
are always on the move; and as often in their neigh-
bours’ houses asin theirown. Itis not uncommon for a
woman getting up in the morning, to throw her blanket
about her and set off on a gossiping tour among her
neighbours, and leave her children foodless and clothes-
less among the ashes, to shift for themselves; yet, like
most Indian women, they are generally tender mothers.
We hope the ladies alluded to will take a useful lesson
from these remarks. And likewise reform their shopping
propensity and love of fineries, which do not bespeak
industrious habits, or a great desire to manufacture

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 193

their own clothing. These are blemishes not easily
removed,

Canadians and half-breeds are promiscuously settled
together, and live much in the same way, although we
shall be able to point out some differences. They are
not, properly speaking, farmers, hunters, or fishermen ;
but rather confound the three occupations together, and
follow them in turn, as whim or circumstances may
dictate. They farm to-day, hunt to-morrow, and fish
the next, without anything like system; always at a
nonplus, but never disconcerted. They are great in
adventuring, but small in performing ; and exceedingly
plausible in their dealings. Still, they are oftener
more useful to themselves than to others, and get
through the world the best way they can, without
much forethought or reflection. Taking them all in
all, they are a happy people. .

The men are great tobacco-smokers, the women as
great tea-drinkers; ‘but they seldom indulge in the
luxury.of sugar with this beverage. Debts may
accumulate, creditors may press, the labourer may go
without his hire, the children run naked, but the tea-
kettle and tobacco-pipe are indispensable. We have
already observed that they are passionately fond of
roving about, visiting, card-playing, and making up
gossiping parties. To render this possible, they must
of course be equally hospitable in return; and, in fact,
* all comers and goers are welcome guests at their board.
The apostle recommends hospitality; but we cannot
give the name of hospitality to the foolish and ruinous
practice we are speaking of: strictly following the

194 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Indian principle, “ Divide while anything remains,”
and beg when all is done. This habit is carried to
excess among them, as most things are, the false indul-

when there is nothing left at home, they live abroad at
their neighbours’ till they are generally all reduced to
the same level. Far be it from us to find fault with a
people for attachment to their own ancient usages; but
all men must condemn a practice that not only fosters
poverty in the individual homes, but is, in its conse-
quences, injurious to society.

We have to notice a marked difference between the
Europeans dnd the French. In the spring of the year,
when the former are busy, late and early, getting their
seed into the ground, the Canadian is often stuck up in
the, efid of his canoe fishing gold-eyes, and the half-
héeed as often sauntering about idle with his gun in

his hand. At the same time, if you ask either to work, -

they will demand unreasonable wages, or even refuse
altogether; preferring indolence to industry, and their
own roving habits to agricultural or other pursuits of
civilized life. Their own farms, if farms they may be

called, point them out as a century behind their ©
European neighbours. Harvest time shows: no im- |

provement on sowing time, for they are to be seen
anywhere but in the neighbourhood of their proper
work, In short, they do all things out of season, and
in the multiplicity of their pursuits oftener lose the
advantage of all than accomplish one ; verifying the old
proverb of too many irons in the fire. While they are
planning this and that little labour, the summer passes

gence of which reduces them to misery and want; and‘ *

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 195

by, and winter threatens them often with their crops
unsecured, their houses unmudded, and their cattle
unprovided for. They live a ragged life, which habit
has’ made familiar to them. Knowing no other
condition, they are contented and happy in poverty ;
and, perhaps we may add, contentment in this life is
everything.

Continuing our tour of inspection, we visited the
houses of these people, and here truth compels us to
draw a line of distinction. The Canadian of any
standing is tidy in his dwelling: the floor is kept clean;
the bed neatly made up, and generally set off with
curtains and coverlet; the little cupboard, if there is
nothing in it, is still orderly and clean; inshort, every-
thing else just as it ought to be. ~On the contrary, the -
half-breeds, generally speaking, exhibit more of. the
" discomforts that attend a mere encampment in their
dwellings. When-anything is wanted, everything in
the domicile has to be turned topsy turvy to find it,
and the inmates sleep as contented on the floor as in a
bed—a sort of pastoral life, reminding us of primeval
times. Among this class, the buffalo robe is more _
frequently to be seen than the blanket in their dwellings.
The better sort, however, have their houses divided into
two rooms; but they are all bare of furniture, and
ornament never enters, except occasionally a small
picture of the’ Virgin Mary, or a favourite apostle, ,
hung to the wall in a little round frame. Variety or
taste is, of course, out of the question, and a multiplied
sameness characterizés everything about them.

_But what pleased and interested my friend most of

196 ' HE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

all,—he being a young man and fond of novelty,—was
their winter amusements; the fine horse, the bells, the
ribbons, the gay painted cariole, trotting matches,
fiddling, dancing, and gossiping parties. The gaiety of
their carousals ought, indeed, to be mentioned. When
met together on these occasions, they are loud talkers,

great boasters, and still greater drinkers and smokers; .

’ they sing vociferously, dance without mercy, and
generally break up their bacchanalian revels with a
sort of Irish row. The constant tide of cariole comers
and goers, Sundays and week-days alike, would lead to
a belief that the Canadians and half-breeds were all
official men, did all the business of the colony, and

, settled affairs of state into the bargain. And yet, What
is the fact? All this heyday, and hurrying to and
fro, is mere idleness and gasconade. A Canatlian or
half-breed able to exhibit a fine horse, and gay cariole,
is in his glory; this achievement is at once the height
of his ambition, and his ruin. Possessed of these, the
thriftless fellow’s habitation goes to ruin; he is never
at home, but driving and caricoling in all places, and
every opportunity; blustering and bantering every one
he meets. The neighbourhood of the church on
Sundays and holy days has all the appearance of a

fair; and whether arriving or returning, the congregation.

is deafened by the clamour, and shocked by the vagaries
of these braggarts.
m While we were enjoying the scenes around us, a
* fellow with a showy horse and gay cariole shot past
us onthe glib ice like lightning, with a lustre that
threw us completely into the shade.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 197

“ Who is that?” said my friend, staring with surprise:
“he must be a person of some consequence!” Could
he believe that this glittering Phaeton was not worth a

shilling in the world? That: only a day or two since

he possessed a house, a snug little farm, an ox, and a
cow; and gave all for the tempting horse and cariole ?
Soon afterwards I asked my companion to accompany
me to a dwelling near by; and as we were driven out
of doors again by the cold and discomfort, he truly
remarked, “ What a miserable hovel! Not a blanket on
the bed, the children are naked, not:a stick to put on
the fire, and the poor woman, with her little ones, like a
hen with her brood of chickens sitting in the ashes!” “It
is all true, too true,” said I; “ yet the man who dazzled
you so amazingly.a short time ago dwells here! This is
your man of consequence; this is his family.” When I
told him so, he stood confounded. “ These things,” said
I, “are not uncommon here; folly and idleness all!”
How these people bring up their children from infancy is
almost a mystery. No special care, as in other countries, -
is here taken to feed a child; it is constantly stuck at
its mother’s breast like a leech, till it can sprawl about
or walk and feed itself, and then it fares as its parents
do; it eats strong meat and drinks strong tea, breakfast,

, dinner, and supper, the same—always meat, and nothing

but meat, washed down, as the general custom is, with

etea, strong and bitter as tobacco juice. Healthy children,

indeed, with strong stomachs, thrive well; but the
puny and delicate soon sink under such treatment, and
relieve their parents of all further trouble on their
behalf. ’ ;

\
198 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

The destitution in which the'indulgence of their idle
fancies soon leaves them, never disconcerts a people so
fertile in expedients. When the husband is in want of
tobacco, or his wife of tea; when the children are
naked, and all their own resources are dried up, they
resort to the petty traders, or any one else among the
settlers, from whom they can beg or extort some advance.
The only field here, for speculators of this description,
is wood-cutting, wood-rafting, and domestic labour.
The principle that anything is better than nothing
buoys up the giver and the taker. | One contracts
to cut and raft down fire-wood; another building-
wood; another fencing; ‘some this, soine that. On
the strength of these undertakings, | they take up

, advances, generally heavy, considering their small
means; so that before the work ‘is bepun, the wood
~~" speculators "are involved over head and éars in debt;
especially as the value put on the articles thus advanced
is generally in proportion to the risk. In these arrange-
ments, the fool and the knave often come in contact, or
just as frequently knave is set against knave. Each
_ party to the bargain tries to outwit the other; and, after
‘all, a fifth of the contracts agreed upon is never fulfilled.
‘Still, necessity compels the colonists to employ these
meh, as they are in general allowed’ to be able axe-men,
and the only available class of people that can be got
for such duties in the colony. But there is still a part
of their character to notice, which is especially pro-
voking to the industrious settler.

The reader is aware that the half-breeds are not of

the emigrant class; but rather squatters and intruders,
. i

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 199

who have from time to time dropped off from the fur-
trade, or come in from the Indian camp, and set down
among their countrymen on the first vacant lot they find
handy, which they make no scruple of calling their own.
On this spot~they remain, and burrow like rabbits, or
rather freebooters, till the last stick of timber on it is
cut down, and sold or destroyed; the wood being the
only article on the lands which such people can turn to
advantage. When the lot is stripped bare, they remove
to another, and reduce it to the same condition. Thus
the upper and best wooded part of the settlement has
been entirely ruined, and rendered treeless. This
alone might prove, if proof were necessary, not only the
absence of all law, but the weakness or rather indiffer-
ence of the government which permits the waste of a
useful and indispensable article. Within the boundary
~—==of thé colony, wipd. is already scarce ; and unfortunately

the couritry dffords no substitute. Of all those squatters,
there is not at this day half a dozen to be found on their
original lots.

A singular result of this system remains to be noticed.
When any settler is induced from the quality of the
soil, situation, or some other advantage, to select one of
those tintberless lots, the squatter claims; and is, according
to the jexisting regulations of the place, entitled to,
remuneration for what he calls his improvements!
When sitting on the lot, the occupier generally builds
a log-hut, and sometimes cultivates a few roods of the
land for his convenience, till he finishes destroying the
timber ; and this is what he calls his improvements, and
what he claims remuneration for. Thus he is virtually

200 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

paid, not for improving, but for destroying the lot!
And yet the farce is carried still farther: the squatter
may be on his second lot; the first, having become
useless to him, is thrown away; nevertheless, the new
comer has to pay him for his improvements.

All these people of French extraction are of the
Roman Catholic religion; and the vernacular of both
Canadians and half-breeds is a provincial jargon of
French and Indian mixed up together. My companion
would often remark, “Your half-breed women, although
pale, are fairer in complexion than the Canadian women,
but their extreme bashfulness deprives them of that
graceful address peculiar to white women.”

Having finished our promenade, and satisfied the
curiosity of my friend, we hastened back to the Forks
again, when I asked him how he liked the customs and
habits of the people above; but he answered me with a
significant shrug of the shoulder, and I could read in
the expression of his countenance no very lively
satisfaction. “If,” said he, “the lower part of the
settlement affords no more valuable information to the
stranger than the upper, I am done with Red River;
but, as I have seen the one, I should have no objections
to visit the other.” Having made some arrangements
to that effect, we set out accordingly on our journey
below. It happened to be the harvest season ; all hands
were at work in the fields. Men in their shirt-sleeves,
women in their white jackets, and boys and girls every-
where busy in cutting and gleaning, or frightening
away the blackbirds and wild pigeons, which at this
season are very destructive to the crops. These people,

SS, AND PRESENT STATE. 201

and though their farms are
large, cultivate but small patches; for which two reasons
" may be assigned—the limited market, and the scarcity
of servants. Another inconvenience is fast growing up.
The country not being suitable for back or second
concession of lands, as the young marry, the lots
become divided; and there are now, not only one
establishment, but sometimes two, and even three on the
same lot, giving them a ribbon-like appearance. The
time cannot be far distant, therefore, when the Scotch
themselves, if they wish to keep together, must remove
to some other part of the colony, in order to have elbow
room. The scarcity of wood and hay will likewise
render a flitting soon necessary. But to return to our
journey.

After travelling on the public road for about seven
miles, to a place called the middle church, my friend
made a halt, and turning to me observed, “ This part of
the colony we have just passed, is the thickest settled
I have yet seen; and, if we may judge from outward
appearances—houses, corn-yards, parks, and inclosures,
the hand of industry has indeed been busy.” “ Yes,”
said I, “these are the Scotch settlers, the emigrants
sent hither by Lord Selkirk; the people who have
suffered so much, and to whose fortitude and perse-
verance the colony owes that it is what you see it at
this day.” “This spot,” he rejoined, “ is really full of
interest.”

Thus talking we journeyed on some fourteen miles
further, till we reached the Stone Fort. Here the aspect

is somewhat gloomy, yet deeply interesting; and beyond
KS

202 - THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

this point, with the exception of the Cree Indian village,
there are no settlers. My friend, however, wished to
prosecute the journey further in order to visit the lakes
and the Indians of the neighbourhood; so, indulging his
curiosity, we journeyed on, and before we got back to
the Stone Fort winter had set in. This gave us an
opportunity of comparing the purguits of the people
below with those above during that season, upon which
we may have a word to say when we have reported our
visit to the Indians.

The weather had been-very dry and sultry for some
time before we started, but all at once’a heavy thunder-
storm from the north-west burst out, and poured down
such a torrent of rain, that in a few minutes rivulets
ankle deep were running in all directions over the
barren surface. After this deluge fell, the direction of
our journey lay over a high ridge, and our party got
separated for a time some distance from each other. In
the evening we all met again and camped together,
when two of the men brought us several small fishes,
from one and a half to three inches in length, scarcely
yet dead, which they averred they had found on the
open “plains, where no lake, river, creek, or water of
any kind was to be found, but what had fallen during
the late storm. In answer to our queries on the subject,
they replied, “ Where we found the fish there was, in
two or three places, some ‘galions of them together, as
if left by the torrent of the day before.” We after-
wards mentioned this rather curious circumstance to
several persons, some of whom assured the writer they
had more than once seen the same thing after a great

1 &

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 203

storm and heavy fall of rain, and they had no doubt on
the subject, but were firm in the belief that they were
the fruits of the storm we had encountered, and had
fallen with the rain. The probability of such a pheno-
menon was subsequently confirmed by a friend, who
assured me that in crossing the wide plains between St.
Peter’s and Red River, after a storm of this kind, he had
himself seen fish of a similar description, some of them
yet alive, half a day’s journey from any water, and lying
in considerable numbers on the ground. We have
seen it stated, after the land-slip called “ Rosenberg,”
that live fish had been thrown to an immense distance
out. of the Lake “ Lawertz;” but here was no Alpine

land-slip, but a torrent-slip from the clouds. Query—-

had the fish been carried thither by a waterspout, or

’ had they fallen from, the clouds?

Proceeding in a north-westerly direction, but more
intent on hunting than despatch, it took us some time
before we made the rocky and romantic shore of Lake
Winipeg. There we fell in with a small camp or two
of Cree and Saulteaux: Indians, the chief men of which
pressed us hard to pass a night with them, which we
agreed to do,-and soon learned their motives; for, as
it proved, they were all out of tobacco. After putting
our _little camp in order, we went, accordingly, and
smoked and talked with the Indians. During our
parley with them, we. noticed a fellow busy heating
stones in the fire and then throwing them, ashes and

all, into a wattappe kettle, or a kettle made of small. -

willows, by which means he soon made the water boil ;
we then observed him taking something out of a dirty

204 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

black bag and putting it into the kettle; we expressed
a wish to see it, and the chief having laid the bag before
us, behold! what was there but tea! tea imported from
England. After the process we have described, they
strained it through a dirty mat, and drank it, smacking
their lips after the delicious beverage. Tea is now
nearly as common in the Indian camp as in the settle-
ment; but the half-breeds surpass everything yet heard
of in the article of tea-drinking. In a small camp last
winter, among the buffalo, there were thirty-eight
adults, men and women, and forty-six children; and
this small community, in the course of seven months,
with the addition of a few Indians, consumed the
enormous quantity of 3,528 pounds of tea! equal to
forty-two pounds-a head, young and old. This equals
the Uzbeks themselves—surpasses Mrs. Flammond,
the jolly hostess already noticed, and all other tea-
drinkers of whom we have-read, either ancient or
modern. Oe

We had agreed, as already mentioned, to pass the
night with the Indians. Soon after we had retired to
rest, we were aroused in the night by a great buzz in
the camp; and on our going out to learn the cause of
it, we found the Indians all assembled, and a fellow
going through his juggling or conjuring performances.
Almost immediately a shot was fired in the air; and
on our inquiring the reason, our hosts pointed to the
heavens, where the aurora borealis presented a most
brilant appearance, shifting and dancing about with
all the resplendent colours of the rainbow; they added
with a serious air, “ Don’t you see that? It is the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 205

Indian’s custom to shoot to keep the ghosts at a dis-
tance, or they might.in their anger kill us.” The
aurora borealis they call “chee pye,” or ghost. After
firing, according to the Indian tradition, the ghosts
disperse, or remain passive and harmless.) We know
that they resort to a similar mode of self-preservation
on the approach of a thunder-storm—that is, they fire off
a gun in the direction of the dark and ominous cloud;
but to have the desired effect, the gun must be loaded
in a peculiar manner, and fired off by a man who is
entitled to carry a medicine-bag; after this ceremony
is gone through, they apprehend no danger either from
the thunder or the lightning. What idle fancies will
not superstition give rise to?
Yet the people wé are now describing “have, perhaps,
a less number of vile practices or acts of barbarity among
them than most other savages. They neither deform
the head nor pierce the septum of the nose for orna-
ment. Infanticide is not even mentioned among them,
nor do they abandon their sick and infirm to die
unassisted or unpitied. Here my friend wished to
know if all the Indian tribes were as superstitious as
those people? “Some much more so,” said I. “They
are,” said he, “a sad specimen of the fallen race, as
far as wretchedness and superstition goes.” But to
return to the aurora borealis, It has been doubted
by many, and is still doubted, whether or not, in their
evolutions, these lights make a noise. It may be useful
to state, therefore, that on the present, as well as on
many other occasions, we all heard the whizzing noise,
clear and distinct; as if a person kept waving a silk

* 206 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

handkerchief on the end of a pole rapidly through
the air in a calm night.

In this quarter, idolatry and superstition reign unmo-
lested. These children of nature, we may with truth
say, have not to this hour heard, except at a distance,
of revealed religion, nor the sound of the gospel,
although living in the vicinity of the settlement..
Neither Roman Catholic priest, nor Protestant minister,
though stationed in Red River for nearly twenty years,
has ever visited these wretched beings at their camps.
Could they draw nearer the settlement and find the
means of living, they would no doubt be taken by the
hand and receive instruction; -but hitherto, with the
exception of any advantage derived from the Hudson’s
Bay Company, they have remained a hopeless and
friendless race. Where then are the thousands and
tens of thousands subscribed by the liberal and chari-
table hand of benevolence for instructing the heathen?
Is this the return that boasted England is to make
the natives of Rupert's Land for impoverishing their
country and draining off its riches during the last 200
years? But we have wandered from the story of our
journey, which it is time to resume.

The season being now far advanced, and. the piercing
storms of winter at our heels, we proceeded from lake
to lake, and from one camp to another, without seeing
anything that the fancy or eye of curiosity could delight
* in; we therefore hastened our return to the colony.
The lower district of the settlement, we may remark,
is peopled with a mixture of all races, settled pro-
‘miscuously nv like those above the Forks. On

aes

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 207

yeaching-the middle chureh, my companion intimated

to me a desire not to return, as we had come, by the
public road, but by the houses, in order to have a peep
at the Scotch settlers and their domestic comforts; for
the Scotch occupy the centre of the colony, and are

mostly all together. This plan being agreed upon, we

kept winding our way among the dwellings, where we -
spent a few days, and were warmly received and kindly _
treated by my countrymen with all the good things of ©
the place, according to their usual hospitality. These
people surpass in comfort those of the same class in
most other countries. Rich in food and clothing, all
of them have likewise saved more or less money.
Abundance on every hand testifies to their industry

‘ and economy, and this within doors and without in

the same profusion. The evidence of domestic happi-
ness everywhere meets the eye. No want of blankets
here on the beds; the children well clothed, and the
houses warm and comfortable. The barns teeming with
grain, the stables with cattle, and all classes wearing
more or less of their own manufacture, which bespeaks
a fair prospect for the future. My companion, was often
gratified by the scenes of industry around him, so
different from the conduct of the people at the upper
end of the settlement. Everything here is exactly as.
it ought to be. Every man minds his own business—
every woman may be found in her own kitchen. The
flail and spinning-wheel are ever at work. Such:

"things, cheering in any country, are doubly so in,

Red River, which would else be a_ wilderness

indeed. .

208 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

A certain moral and religious discipline, of course,
lays the foundation for the habits we have described.
Every morning and evening the Bible is taken off the
shelf, and family worship regularly observed. “ We
see no carioling, gossiping, card-playing, or idling
here,” observed my friend. “Not to any extent,” said
I; “the idler has no encouragement here.” In their —
social relations, the Scotch are sober, shrewd, and
attentive to their several duties, both as Christians
and subjects; yet they are not altogether free from

‘the influence of local. habits. Their customs and habits

have changed not a little with the change of country,
as we have noticed before: they cariole, and go about
too, on a small scale; nor is it likely they could be so
near neighbours as they are to the good“people above,
without imbibing more or less of their habits and
foibles. They often imitate the French, but the
French never imitate them. The blue capote and
red belt, so peculiar to those of French origin in this
quarter, have become favourite articles of dress among
the rising generation; and although this whim cannot
be called a great deviation or fault, it may soon become
so; for if we encourage foreign manufacture, it shows
we lightly esteem our own. One false step often leads
to another. There is likewise a strong infusion of
French notions among’ the youngsters, notwithstanding
all their whining and twaddle about the French
not keeping the Sabbath-day holy. Carioling on
Sunday is, perhaps,’an instance in point. With the
Canadians and half-breeds, every day is alike; but —
with the English community, Sunday is almost the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 209

only day for the prafifice of this worldly enjoyment.
Although in the neighbourhood of the church, they
take no small pleasure in assuming an air of importance,
and aping manners which ought’ to be foreign to them.
The fine horse and gay cariole may be seen gliding over
the ice on the Sabbath morning, not going moderately,
much less iff that solemn and devout manner befitting
the day or the occasion, but driving like Jehu of old,
contesting the honour of arriving first at church. On
such occasions they are not over civil either to-strangers
or superiors, nor will they give the road to any one
with the easy and familiar politeness of a Frenchman.
Indeed, it isnot uncommon for “ young Scotland” to
enter the church whip in hand, and his tobacco-pipe
stuck up in his pocket. We hardly need say that it
was necessary to come to Red River to learn such
practices.

‘The French, as already stated, make the church on
Sundays and holydays a thorough fair; and now what
is the ‘practice of the English? It cannot be pro-
nounced worse; but assuredly it is but little, if any-
thing, better. All thase on foot, on leaving the church,
have to leave the road also, until the last horse and
cariole has passed; or they must run the risk of being
run down and trampled in the snow. Such is their
observance of the Lord’s day. These irreverent and
wild freaks of horsemanship, however, it must be
remembered, have their light as well as their dark
aspect. During winter, almost the only indulgence
of the population, whether French or English, consists
in carioling—a pastime as innocent as it is amusing. |

- 2
aot

210 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

To conclude this soméypat . lengthened chapter.
Although we dwell on the~-outskirts of Christendom,
holding as it were a middle course between refined -

civilization on the one hand, and gross darkness on the

other, we live in all moderation and good fellowship in
our ‘semi-barbarous and semi-civilized state. The

“ expressions used by my fellow-traveller when we reached

the Forks, may be taken as a fair representation’ of
the state of society amongst us, viewed at its best. “I
have,” said -he, “travelled much in my time, and have
seen many countries; but, under all circumstances, I

. ytave seen no part of the world where the poor man

enjoys so many privileges, and is more happy and
_-shidependent than in Red River, and I regret I cannot
“prolong my stay to inform myself a'little better on the sub- .
ject of your laws and institutions ; but judging from what
I have seen,” you seem, said he to me, “ to live almost
without laws, and yet enjoy in that primeval condition

» more real happiness, comfort, and contentment, than

any other people I ever saw; but I must hasten my
departure, and take my leave’of you, assuring you, and
all my friends behind, that wherever Providenée may
destine my lot, I shall always cherish with fond recol-

een ‘the kind and hospitable people: of this colony.”

fy friend and I then parted.

\ v
\
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 211

CHAPTER XVII. -

Conrents.—Another experimental farm— Remarks— Views of
the. people at home—-Comparisons— The half-pay officer—
Great promises—Small performances—The first experiment—
The grand operations—Stock—How far for the benefit of Red
River—Quality of the hands—The hay party—Captain Cary—
Result of the undertaking—Anecdote—The proposition—British
Government—Civilization—The Scotch and their minister—
The two zealots—Viewing things through a false medium—Mr.
Cockran—Observations—Change of system—New laws—Judge

: Thom in Red River— Opinions of the people—Mr. Simpson,

of the Arctic expedition—Subject continned—His death—

North American half-breeds—Remarks—Subjecteoncluded, ,
Having arrived at the commeneement of the year 1838,
we propose to conduct the reader through the operations
of another experimental farm, set on foot with the same
ostensible object in view as the former one, namely, the
benefit ‘of the settlement. We have often before
remarked, ‘that the people of Red River delight in
novelty, and however great may be their failures and

“disappointments, they soon take courage again, and are

ready for a new enterprisé, It is not likely that our
readers hate forgotten the experiments already made
under.this familiar name; nor do we think they will”

- 212” ~ ~~ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

easily forget the one of which we-are about to give. .
some account; for each of them has had its characteristic™
mark. In Red River these farming bubbles have been
designated the “ three unfortunate sisters,” in allusion jto
their results. .

The difficulties to be overcome in a first experiment
are usually much greater than in a second, or a third, of
the same kind. In the present instance, however, we
derived little or no advantage from past experience, since
the plan was now dictated by a committee in London,

“some 4,000 miles from the scene of operations, whose

orders had to be implicitly followed. To prevent, as
they thought, a repetition of the ruinous results of} the
former experimental farm, the London committee, in
place of appointing a fur trader to the offiée of manager,
sent out from England, at a high salary, a half-pay
officer of the army, who was accompanied by people of ,
httle, if any, experience in agricultural pursuits. .

Behold, then, Cagggin George Marcus Cary, the

_gentleman alluded to, antf his experimental squad, some

twenty in number, men and women, commencing opera-
tions on that point of rich alluvial soil where the
Assiniboine enters the Red River, adjoining the site of
old Fort Garry! Here a grand establishment was got
up, and a full supply of the most costly implements
imported on a scale far beyond anything we had yet
seen in the colony. In short, nothing was wanting
that money could procure. The new comers delighted
to expatiate on the advantages of skill and system
combined together, the prodigies contemplated, the
experiments to be made, and the results that were to

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 213

follow, compared with our manner of doing things
in the settlement hitherto. The interest excited, made
all listen in silent admiration, with eyes and ears open.
A new era was about to commence; and the Captain
himself, full of theory, and big with projects, raised
expectation to its highest pitch, so that there was but
one opinion, “The Company have hit upon it at last!”
Nevertheless, though men and implements were set to
work, two years had passed by before twenty acres of
mellow soil were under cultivation; nor at the end of
ten years more had this grand farming scheme extended
another acre! The whole farm enclosed did not much
exceed eighty acres, and a fourth part of that was never
under cultivation.

On this contracted spot, Captain Cary and his
operatives exercised their agricultural talents in raising
wheat, barley, potatoes, and turnips—articles which every
one in Red River had for sale, and for which there was
no market.’ In this manner they kept going round and
round, like the blind horse in the mill, always finding
themselves, in the evening, where they had started
from in. the morning ; till the spot was ruined, and
themselves bewildered -with the painful result. They
barely succeeded in feeding themselves, and therefore
had no spare produce to return to the Company.

The only benefit the settlers derived from the example
of the experimental farmers, and what they had not
learned of themselves before, was to mow down their
fields of grain with the scythe, in place of cutting it
with the sickle; and to gather it with rakes in lien of
tying it into sheaves. With this practice, by the way,

t
214 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

we had little reason to quarrel—the model farmers were
really playing our game ; because what was left or lost
by the slovenly process on the fields, required no
market. This was the first, the last, and the only
experiment they exhibited for our benefit; and because
we would not follow their example, they swore they
would show us no more; and they kept their word.
The dairy served to keep the Governor’s tea-table
in milk; but his butter and cheese were still furnished
by the settlers: this part of the experiment proved
a complete failure. For a year or two, a few quarters
of flax seed were cultivated; but, as in the former
experiment, it grew up only to rot without further
notice. Hemp was equally a dead letter. During a
year or two, a flock of some two or three hundred sheep
were attached to the farm, but they soon dribbled into
the hands of the settlers; and the wool which was not
allowed to rot, got also into their hands, at a shilling -
the pound. A herd of swine was also kept up; but the
poor creatures were generally so famished, as tg, render
it prudent in the wayfarer to keep at a respectful
distance ffom them. Geese, hens, and turkeys, also
' adorned the princely farm during the days of its
sunshine.

All this profusion of good things was consumed at -
the farm establishment. Was such a project, then, we
may ask, calculated to benefit the settlers, who had
themselves similar articles for sale—nay, taking the
aggregate, had them in ten times the profusion required
to supply the limited market. We trow not. Rather,
it was shutting up so far, if it had succeeded, the only

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 215

market that existed for colonial produce. Every ounce
or shilling’s worth supplied to the Company by their
own experimental farm, would lessen the settlers’ market.
It still may be argued as beneficial to the settlement in
the way of example; for had not the influence of system,
the rotation of crops, and the general working of the
plan, a good effect on the farmers of Red River? We
answer, no!

Bad as the system or want of system in the colony
may have been, it was in every respéct superior and
better adapted to the country than the experimental
farm methods. The settlers had always the better crops,
both in quantity and quality. The most ordinary
farmer in the place sowed as well, ploughed as well, did
three times as much work, and kept his fields, his grain,
and his cattle in better order, than was the case at the
experimental farm; much of this, however, depended
on the quality of the hands employed; they were
awkward, ignorant, and stubborn. The most simple of
Tusser’s “five hundred points of good husbandry ” they
had yet to learn, and they also forgot they were in
Red River; for they could neither work nor eat without
the beer pot at their lips; they slowly moved at the
sound of the bell. Before six in the morning, or after

six in the evening, they would scarcely budge, had the

house been on fire about their ears. Seed time and
harvest time, summer and winter, was all one to them.
Still it is not with the good or bad qualities of the farm-
servants that we have to deal; and have only touched
upon them to show, that had they come out for the
benefit of the colony, the good derived from their skill,

216 ° THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:
conduct, and exertions, would have been small indeed.
Take the following as an example :—

The article of hay was very scarce one year in the
neighbourhood, so that the Captain had a place examined
some ten miles off, where it was to be had in abundance.
To this spot the settlers, in years of scarcity, generally
resort, for the same purpose as was the case this, year;
and hither our model farmer despatched seven of his
’ best mowers, provisiéned for a month. Of course, these
pampered gentlemen were not disposed to go hay-
making, as the settlers do, with a piece of dry pemmican
for their food, the swamp water their only beverage.
No, indeed, they must have their douceurs, their tit-bits,
their dainties; and the Captain being an indulgent master,
fitted them out with all the luxuries of a more favoured
country—their beef, their mutton, their butter, their
cheese, tea, coffee, and something stronger into the
bargain, with all the apparatus and cattle necessary for ~
carrying on their work to the best advantage. After
some days’ preparation, the hay party, along with a
squad of the settlers, took its departure; it was a
Monday niorning, as we recollect. The latter got
to the ground at 9 o’clock~in the forenoon, and before
night, had averaged five loads a-piece of cut hay;
while the experimental boys, who only reached the
field of their labours at 1 o'clock in the afternoon,
spent the rest of the day in putting up their tents, and
making themselves comfortable. Tuesday, they spent
the day in gossip, and boasting what they could do.
On Wednesday, they. did not like their encampment,
shifted to another, and prepared for the following day.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 217

Thursday they commenced work. Friday their oxen
strayed away, and they spent the day in getting them
‘together. Saturday, they turned their faces towards
the settlement, and resolved on home! Two of them
returned late in the evening; but the other five made
for the beer-shops, where the mortified Captain had
hard work to find them out, and only got them home on
the following Tuesday. Various were the reports they
made to their disappointed master; but when the truth
became known, the seven experimental lads had,
during the week they were absent, cut the enormous
quantity of ten loads of hay!

Captain Cary, the chief manager of the experimental
farm, was a person of active business habits, sober,
intelligent, and prepossessing in his manners; in all
respects a gentleman of ‘amiable qualities; but his
agricultural knowledge consisted in theory alone—the
practical qualifications were wanting He had read a
great deal, and was possessed of much general informa-
tion; but was, in point of fact, more of a florist than
agriculturist. After dragging on for about ten years,
without advancing a step, or doing a farthing’s worth of
good to the colony, the prodigal experiment was wound
up; and the stock, implements, &c., being sold off, left
the experimenters minus 5,500/. The zealous Captain -
was so disgusted with the whole affair, that he left the
_ colony in a pet, and removed with his family to Canada.

The object of the Company was probably not very
clear to themselves; but if we may judge from circum-
stances, it was far from a sincere purpose towards the
settlement, Captain Cary often remarked on this point

218 JHE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

to the writer, in terms which we may here quote: -
“When I left London,” said he, “the Committee held
out the fairest prospects; and so deeply did that body
appear to be interested and sincere in the success of
their plan, that I was promised, in addition to my salary, .
a certain share in the profits; but when I came to Red
River, the feeling about its success, among the Com-
pany’s officers, seemed to be the very reverse; cold
water was thrown on the whole project, and all my
plans and movements were fettered, as if the officials
were perfectly indifferent about its success.” It has
been stated, but whether true or false we know not,
that 6,000/. had been laid aside for the speculation, and
the feeling was, the sooner it was got out of hand the
better; that, at least according to this story, was all the
Company cared about it. If this statement be trué,
there must have been a mal entendre or mystery in some
quarter. We have already noticed in our experience of
things here, that the Company in London and the
Company in Red River are two different things; and
. here we have before us a practical illustration of the
fact. This we know, that Captain Cary and the
Company in Red River seldom pulled together. He
always said, he was entitled to a tenth share of the
profits. “If,” said he, “the business has failed, it is
the fault of the Company, not mine.” On repeating
this one day, the writer observed to him, he had better
hold his tongue, and say nothing on that head, or
he might be brought in for a corresponding share of the
loss. One thing we know—his appointment proved
a profitable sinecure to him.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 219

Before taking leave of the Captain, we might mention
the following anecdote. On the arrival of his party in
the colony, I happened to join the Captain as he stepped
on shore, and as we walked along, we had to cross
a ploughed field, on seeing which, the Captain stopped
short, and turning suddenly round to me exclaimed,

_“ What! the people of Red River know how to plough!”
“Yes,” said I, “we do a little in that way, and sow too.”
If the ploughed field astonished the Captain, his remark
no less surprised me; as it showed how little he knew of
our history.

We have stated over and over again, and in most
instances proved by a variety of circumstances, that
neither this nor the other experimental farms could
have been designed for the benefit of the settlers. A
question then arises, if not for the benefit of the
settlers, for whose benefit were they? And what could
have been the Company’s motives for their introduction ?
Tt could not have been, at least in a pecuniary point of
view, for the Company’s own benefit. At first view it
is, we must confess, a subject that might appear to
many as mysterious as the “handwriting on the wall;”
‘but to those who penetrate a little below the surface of
things, and weigh impartially the state of affairs in this
quarter, the Company’s motives for making such a
sacrifice as this venture proved, are not absolutely
impenetrable. It is a common saying here, “When
the Company deal in furs, they work for money; but
when they farm, they work for fame!” Now, as success
attending the experimental farm would have more and
more embarrassed the limited market here, everything ©

220 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

seemed to be so calculated as to,ensure its failure; and
if that was virtually the object, no better plan than the
course pursued could have been devised. ,

A gentleman of long standing in the colony, talking
over these matters one day, expressed himself thus :—
“You don’t seem to understand the matter right. The
fact is, that the colony, on a small scale, is favourable to
the Company’s interest, in order to ensure its supplies

_on the spot, arid give a tone to its proceedings at hime ;
but were it to increase in numbers, wealth, and power,
‘ the colony, in the nature of things, must/soon have
a voice of its own, and that voice would render
allegiance extremely doubtful: even the existence of the
great monopoly itself might receive a shock from a
thriving settlement in Red River. And this mode of
reasoning,” said he, “is applicable to the export trade
question, as well as the experimental farms, and many
things else in this quarter; so that we can very easily
and reasonably account for their failures, on the same
principle—a principle inherent in all governments, to
*. » pursue that line of policy best suited to their own
“~ ‘aggrandizement.” ;

This reasoning, wé must confess, hardly appears to
us as conclusive. It might have been just a century
ago, when the country was rich in furs; but at the
present time, when the wild animals are completely
swept away, the country ruined, and the Company, in a
‘manner, as much occupied everywhere in farming
operations as in the pursuits of hunting, it cannot hold
good. -Their business.is said to be a losing game; and
the Company, it is rumoured, are anxious to get it off

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT sTATE. 221,

their hands. Civilization at length dawns far and wide
throughout Rupert’s Land. The plough is at work in
almost every valley, and the missionary threads almost
every wild. The door, as it were, stands open; the time
is come for the full tide of emigration to pour in; and
we hope the day is not far distant, when the British
Government will say to the Hudson’s Bay Company,
“Relinquish your chartered rights, not without their just
value, indeed, and we will take the country to ourselves.”
This is what the Company is looking for; and we hope,
==--ferthe sake of the redundant population of the British
isles, the bargain will be speedily and finally closed.

At the period we have reached, the Scotch settlers
and their minister again court our attention. It will be
remembered that we left them in some degree contented
with the endeavours of Mr. Cockran, to accommbddate
the service of the Church of England to their spiritual
wants; and so long as that gentleman was left to the’
exercise of his own judgment, things went on as well
as could be expected. Unhappily it was not long before
this good understanding was again disturbed, by the
arrival of two new labourers in the missionary field. The
great good that such men have, done, and are doing in
many parts of the world, claim our admiration; .yet it
cannot be denied, that they have often injured their own
cause by uncalled for interference with other sects. It
was so in Red River during Mr. West’s time, when he
could not rest without experimenting on the Roman
Catholics. In the like spirit, his successors have
continually agitated the Presbyterians, with no better
result than a mere waste of time and money. No sooner

_ 222 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

had the holy zealots alluded to entered the settlement,
than they began to find fault with Mr. Cockran for what
they considered -a-deviation from the ordinary forms and

ceremonies of the English church. In an_evil hour,

the minister gavB way t to their counsel; and in so doing,
he reviyed the smouldering embers of contentiom-between’ ~
himself and the people.

The two new comers took no small merit to them-
selves for having thus, by their interference, restored
the fallen church to her orthodox purity. We willingly

recognise their claims to this distinction; for, in Speaking —
of Mr. Cockran, notwithstanding he has often rajiéd-his. :
voice against the Presbyterian party, it is but jastise'to
acquit him of ,s0 much bigotry and imprudence. Of all

the missionaries. Sent-to Red River in our day, none has

laboured moré s zealously i in God’s ‘vineyard than he; none
has accomplished so much good ; and as a Christian at
the bed of sickness, or as a friend to the helpless poor, no
minister of the Gospel ever-surpassed him. Deeply it is
to be regretted that the services of such a man should
not have been secured for the poor neglected Indian.
We have recorded the first introduction of constitu-
tional laws into this settlement; now five years ago.
During all this period they worked remarkably well,
and gave general satisfaction, without the aid of livwyers,
with the exception, as already noticed, of the 74 per cent.
on imports, which being found obnoxious and oppressive,
was rescinded by an order of council, and reduced, first to
five, and then to four per cent; which, remains unaltered
to this day. In other respects, no complaints were made;
in no instance were the decisions of the magistrates

“TTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT | TE. 223

questioned or disobeyed; no collision of interests_or
parties disturbed the peace. So much confidence was’
placed inthe simple and straightforward course pursued,
that the good will of the people always backed and

_ strengthened the hands of ‘justice. Thus peace and

order were thoroughly maintained throughout every
part of the settlement; the laws were respected, and
life and property was everywhere secure.

To let well alone has always been a maxim with us;
but with this course some are not satisfied., In order to
give a more legal tcne to our judicial proceedings, and
lend strength, as they supposed, to the arm of justice,
the Company introduced, a professional man into the
colony this year, under the title of Recorder of Rupert’s
Land, and placed him as judge in Red River. As
Recorder of Rupert’s Land there could have been no
objection raised; but as judge in ‘the colony, the

‘ appointment raised up a formidable host of objections.

Its legality we.do not pretend to discuss, but simply .
to remark upon it as a disturbing cause; since,
in place of the simple. ‘honesty which ‘marked our
proceedings. hitherto, it has a tendency to substitute the
quibbles and technicalities of law, which few but lawyers
themselves comprehend. [Besides this, a professional
‘judge on the bench, without a professional lawyer at the
bar, is an anomaly, in judicial proceedings; not to
mention that this high functionary is a paid servant of
the Company’s, drawing a liberal salary of 7001.
sterling per annum. In the nature of things, a paid
servant must,have a special eye to his employer's
interest, above that of all others.

224 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

Intellectually considered, Judge Thom is a gentleman
of talent and high attainments in his profession; but
under all the circumstances, whether such a man
would be any advantage to the settlement was very
problematical. On this point, public opinion was
divided. Mr. Thom béing a Company’s man, the
people observed, “He cannot be the man for us;” and
they added, that as the Company had got a legal adviser,
the people ought to have another, in order to keep'the
equilibrium of justice on a fair balance. ‘A lawyer on
either side,” said the people, “or no lawyer at all;” this

_was their creed; and whether law or no law, it was

certainly common sense. Others, again, objected to Mr.
Thom on the*grotind that he could not speak French,
which, nevertheless,-0vas. the language spoken by the
majority of the population. “Some of these might have

“had less weight, had it not been noised abroad .on the

arrival of Mr. Thom, that during the Papineau troubles
in Canada, he was no favourite of the French. “ Will
he,” said the Canadians and half-breeds here, “ be more
favourable to us than he was to our countrymen in
Canada?” In short, the dislike became a fixed prejutice,
which time only served to strengthen. _

It must be admitted that the fundamental objection
against Mr. Thom was not unreasonable. All-the affairs
of the colony, politically’ and judicially, as in other
countries, lay between the rulers and the ruled, with
the exception of trifling occurrences between man and
man; and as a matter of course, in all such cases,
whether civil or criminal, the person appointed must

preside as judge. A man, then, placed in Mr. Thom’s

1
“=. ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 225

position, liable to be turned out of office at the Com-
pany’s pleasure, naturally provoke Ke doubt whether
he could, at all times, be-proof against the sin of
partiality. Is it likely he could always take that
impartial view of a case that might involve’ in its results
his own interest, or deprive him of his daily bread ?
Mr. Thom might be the most upright man in the world ;

‘ yet- human naturg is weak, and gifts too often corrupt
those who profit by them. In every case, then, where
Mr. Thom sat as judge, to decide between the Company
and the people, or in which the former were directly
or indirectly concerned, he sat as it were in his own |
cause—being, from what has been stated, more or less

" interested in the result; and for any man to sit as judge
in a case wherein he himself is concerned, is as contrary
to law and justice as to common’ sense. In this respect,
the law, in its anxiety to do justice, looks on all interested

_ parties as partial. Such was the common sense opinion

“of the people on the arrival of their judge in 1839;-
and having ‘now stated_ the facts, we shall reserve the

working of this system for future notice——
With feelings of deep regret we now come to a
subject already associated with the affairs of Red River.
We have, in the course of our remarks, had occasion
to mention the name of Mr. Simpson of the Arctic ’
expedition. We now resume that painful and some-
what mysterious subject, with the view of following it
up till the final catastrophe which closed the earthly
career of that’ bold ‘and adventurous traveller; and
likewisé"t0" clear up -some_mysterious points as to the

manner in which he came by his death
- Lo ———

226 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

It is stated in the “ Memoir” that “on the 6th of
June 1840, Mr. Simpson left Red River Settlement for
the purpose of crossing the prairies to St. Peter’s on
the Mississippi, and thence making his way to England.
On starting from the colony, he was accompanied by
a party of settlers and halfbreeds. Hagen to reach
England, he got tired in a very few days of their slow
movements, and went on ahead in company with a
party of four men. He pursued his journey with much
rapidity ; for, on a chart which was found with ‘his
other papers after his death, we trace his day’s journey
on the 11th of June to have been forty-seven miles in a
straight line.

“Subsequent to that date every circumstance is
involved in mystery. All that can be ascertained with
certainty is, that, on the afternoon of the 13th or 14th
of June, Mr. Simpson shot-two of his companions ; that
the other two mounted their horses and rejoined the
larger party, a part of which went to the encamp-
ment where Mr. Simpson was alone, on the next
morning; and that Mr. Simpson’s death then took
place.

‘Whether he shot these men in self-defence, and was
subsequently put to death by their companions 3 Or
whether the severe stretch to which his faculties had
heen subjected for several years, brought on a tem-
porary hallucination of mind, under the influence of
which the melancholy tragedy took place, is known to
God, and to the surviving actors in that tragedy.

* But it must be noticed, in support of the former
supposition, that the depositions of those who pretend

‘

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 227

to describe the manner of his death are contradictory
in the extreme. Moreover, the North, American half-
breed is, of all races in the world, that which retains
the odium in longum. jaciens. Mr. Simpson had five
years before incurred the animosity of the half-breeds of
Red River, by inflicting a chastisement on one of thent
who had grossly insulted him, and they. then threatened
his life. Three of his companions were of this race.
They saw Mr. Simpson returning to England, after
having achieved an object important in itself, but of
which they even exaggerated the importance; their
long-treasured animosity was likely to have shown
itself in threats and insults, if not in actual attack; and
hence, it is the opinion of many intelligent men who
have examined the circumstances, and are acquainted
with the character of the half-caste natives, resulted the
events which cut short the career of this enterprising
young traveller.”

Such is the\account ‘of the circumstances given in
Mr. Simpson’s Memoir. A more exact review of the
particulars, however, will place them in a different light,
and account for the discrepancies in the affidavits. On
the 10th of June, Mr. Simpson left the main party and
shot.ahead with three men\and a boy. For two days
they forced their march, and pursued their journey with
unusual rapidity; Mr. Simpson himself keeping at
times far ahead, and at other times turning back to
meet his men, and then dart off again ahead, as if
impatient at their delay, without saying a word, but

‘ apparently in great uneasiness and anxiety of mind.

At last the men observed to him, that if he continued to

228 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

proceed thus, their horses would soon get worn out,
and. they would find themselves awkwardly situated in
the midst of an enemy’s country. ‘ Well, then,” said
he, abruptly, “let us turn back!” and, without waiting,
for a reply, wheeled round at full speed, to retrace his
steps. The men, thinking he was in jest, stood still for
some time; but seeing him nearly out of sight, and
still going on, they spurred their horses and followed in
his track. On observing this, Mr. Simpson turned
backyas if to meet them; but suddenly changing his
mind, went off again at the gallop on his former course,
without saying a word.

However painful the conclusion, conduct like this
admits of only one explanation. For some days pre-
vious, also, Mr. Simpson showed great absence of mind,
looked wild, and spoke but little; would stand among
his people, contrary to his usual habit, without saying a
word; and would often rise in the night; and walk about
stark naked. From the time he left Fort Garry, and
even before, his words and actions betrayed symptoms
of aberration of mind; but this passed for mere anxiety
about his journey, without any special notice being
taken of it at the time.

On the third day after turning back and pursuing
this zig-zag course, for they did not follow any direct
path, they crossed the track in rear of the main party.
His men pointed out the fact, but Mr. Simpson
exclaimed, “It is not true,” and then added, “ You
wish to humbug me!” At the same time, the unfor-
tunate man pointed out a spot a little on one side where
he declared his intention to encamp, but after reaching

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 229

the place, he selected another, and there they put up
for the night. :

We now come to the tragedy. The moment the
party alighted from their horses, Mr. Simpson placed
all their guns together by the cart, a circumstance
quite unusual. It was already late; the moon shone
bright; and as two of his men were in the act of putting
up his tent, Mr. Simpson suddenly laid hold of his
double-barreled gun, and without a word being uttered
on either side, shot them both dead. This happened
on the evening of the 14th. He then said to Bruce, “I
wm justified by the laws of England in killing these two
men; for they had conspired to kill me this night, and
carry off all my papers!” Hereupon, also, he demanded
of him, if he knew the road back to Red River? Bruce
turning round to.hear what he was saying, he made
signs to him with his hand, exclaiming, “ Keep off!
‘keep off!” and then added, “Go and bridle the horses,
and if you conduct me back to Red River, the Company
will give you 5001.” Bruce and the boy each seized a
horse and galloped off to rejoin the main party; for at
this time, Mr. Simpson was about twenty-two miles
behind. The sun had been up some time when they
reached the spot.

An hour or two after their arrival, it now being the
morning of the 15th, a party of, six men, including
Bruce, mounted their horses and returned to the fatal
spot. ‘ When about 200 yards off, seeing nobody
stirring about,” says Brace, “we made a halt, and
called to Mr. Simpson by name, but received no
answer: -we then went round, and took up another

230 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

position, about the same distance off, and hailed Mr.
Simpson again, but still no reply. After a few minutes
had elapsed, we saw him distinctly get up in a sitting
or leaning posture, and -presently a shot was fired from
the spot, and we heard the ball whistling in the air.
At first we supposed the ball to have been fired at
ourselves, but afterwards concluded that it was shot at
random as a warning for us-not to approach: nearer.
Gaubin, one of our party, then fired a shot, and hit the
cart: Richotte fired another, and wounded a dog
belonging to the camp. The rest fired off their guns in
the air. After a pause of some minutes, we resolved to
approach crawling through the grass on our bellies;
but finally agreed, as the better plan, that one man
should mount a swift horse, throw himself flat on his
back, and pass the camp at full speed, to see what he
could discover. The signal being made by the man on
horseback, we all approached the spot. Mr. Simpson
was lying stretched at full length, with his face on the
ground, the body warm, and the butt-end of the gun
between his knees, the muzzle in a line with his head
where the shot took effect, one barrel empty, and his
right hand with the glove off, along the guard: his
night-cap blown some yards off, in a line with the
position of the gun. The left hand, with the glove on,
was on his breast. The body, in the position it lay,
almost covered the gun.” With these facts before us,
there can be no doubt as to the manner in which Mr.
Simpson came by his death.

It is remarkable, that during the night, Mr. Simpson
had covered the two bodies, one with his tent, the other

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 231

with the blankets, and had laid his own pillows under
their heads; from the beaten path it was apparent that
he had passed the night walking to and fro between
them. The party having buried all the bodies, returned
to the camp on the same day.

It is stated in Mr. Simpson’s memoir “ that the
depositions of those who pretend to describe the manner
of his death are contradictory in the extreme.” This
may be the case, and we can easily account for it. Till
the party reached St. Peter’s, nearly a month after the
tragedy took place, no one ever thought of drawing up
a statement of the facts as they occurred; questions
were then asked when no one was prepared by antici-
pation to answer them with the necessary exactness ;
the scrutiny itself was too much of the kind dictated
by curiosity—hurried, imperfect, and contradictory ;
besides which, Bruce alone could have given the infor-
mation correctly. All these contradictions, however,
were subsequently corrected. With reference to the
affidavits, four of the depositions were taken by the
writer, as magistrate of the district of Assiniboine,
copies of which are now before him; and although taken
at different periods, there is scarcely any discrepancy
observable. They not only agree on the main point,
but on all minor points also. The facts, indeed, were
compared and confirmed by examining the spot after-
wards. Bruce, one of the deponents, travelled with
Mr. Simpson from the hour he left Red River, till the
moment the two unfortunate men fell, =~

The memoir goes on to say :— Moreover, the North
American half-breed is, of all racesy in the world, that

rin

232 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT CZ
which most retains the odium in longum jatténs.” ~ This

may or may not be true; but for my own part, I have
travelled and lived with the North American half-breeds
for nearly half a century now, and quarreled with
them too; yet I found them neither more vindictive
nor revengeful than South American half-breeds, or
the half-breeds or whole breeds of any other country.
They are, in short, much like other people—aliqui
bont aliqui mali; but I might say more: the North
American half-breeds, are ‘by no means a people who
treasure up animosity long, if they can resent it soon;
they are rather a fickle people, who act according to
the impulse of the moment, give free scope to their
passions, quarrel this moment, and become friends again
the next. This disposition is more peculiarly the case
with those of French extraction, and Mr. Simpson’s
quarrel “ five years before,” was purely with the French
half- breeds; men in whose power he had frequently
been, by day and night, since his quarrel with them, had
they set their hearts on revenge. The truth is, on
the contrary, that they respected him for his daring
hardihood, and loved him for his generosity.

Apart from these considerations, the French half-
breeds could certainly have had no hand in the present
melancholy affair. Mr. Simpson’s travelling companions
were Antoine Legros, a pure Canadian; John Bird, an
English, and James Bruce, a Scotch half-breed: the
fourth was a boy—Legros’s son. But a conclusive
argument still remains to be adduced. On receiving
the intelligence of Mr. Simpson’s death, a medical
gentleman, with a party of men, was sent from the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 233

colony to the scene of the tragedy, and having dis-
interred the bodies, and examined them, his--report
fully confirms the truth of the above statement. It
may be added as a curious fact that, although the deed
was committed within two days’ travel of Pembina, the
account of it had time to reach the remotest parts of the
earth, before we heard of it in the colony ; it not having
reached us before the party returned from the States,

in the month of October following.
Ww

234 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER XVII.

Conrents.—Half-breeds in Red River—Parents and children—
Company’s policy—Relative position of the Company and
half-breeds—Steps against interlopers—The French half-breeds
change—The cause—The English half-breeds join them—
Influence of Papineau's rebellion—Mob-meeting-—Half-breeds
demand an export trade—Governor Simpson’s reply—Foreigners
at the buffalo-hunts—JInfluence of buffalo-hunting on the
colonists—The outfit and start—Pembina camp—Number of
carts—-Dogs— Anecdote—Camp regulations— Honesty of the
half-breeds—Officials—Council—Stroll in the camp—Two sides
to the picture—First sight of the battle-field—The half-breeds
in their glory—Sky darkened—Casualties—Fruits of the chase
—Comparison—The risks—The duties—Vallé and the Sioux—

- Speedy revenge—Pleasures of the chase—Question and answer
—Chamois hunter—The mélée—Perplexing scene—Remarks—
The conflict—The waste—Camp raised again—Descent to the
Missouri Tariff—Uneertain travelling—The Sioux chief—
Indian telegraphs—The fatal storm—The battle—Loss of life—
Sioux warriors—Reflections—Expedition arrives—Effect—Pro-
visions—Result of expedition. :

WE have already had frequent occasion to allude to that
portion of our community called the half-breed class,
and have given a somewhat particular account of their
social relations and domestic habits.) We now come to

/
7

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 235

regard them as an integral part of the community,
whose pursuits affect, more or less, all the great interests
of our colonial life. We shall describe, in short, their
hunting expeditions while in the plains, their mode of
carrying them on, and the general result, both as
regards themselves in particular and the settlement at
large. ‘The unceasing succession of whims and changes
which characterize the operations of this class through-
out the year, cannot indeed be given in detail; but an
outline of their proceedings will not be without its
interest. ;

First, then, the class of which we are speaking may
be considered, in a general sense, as the children of the
children; that,Company having, at the period of the
coalition with the North-West Company, become by law
the rightful owners of their parents’ inheritance. The
question then arises, whether the Company, as thé com-
mon parent of these people, have done all that parents
could or ought to have done for their children?

From the manner in which these people were brought
up about the Company’s establishments, as hunters and
plain-rangers, it was natural to expect that they would
show a decided preference for such pursuits, and cling
to their early habits. When, therefore, they began to
flock into Red River in crowds, and turn their attention ,
to the plain and to buffalo-hunting, it was the proper
business of the Company to direct their energies into
some useful channel, and not suffer them to be frittered
away in desultory operations. Experience could not
but have taught them, that however insignificant and

~ _eeo

236 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

powerless these people were while scattered by twos
and threes about their distant parts, yet, assembled
together in one place” with one common interest, one
common object in view, they must soon become formid-
able either as friends or as foes. The course which the
Company pursued towards the half-breeds on their
arrival is sufficient to prove that they were guided by a
due sense of this responsibility. They were not, indeed,
united together by the Company’s aid into one joint
association as buffalo-hunters, which, under all circum-
stances, might have been the best plan; yet individually
they were taken by the hand the moment they arrived.
Those who wished to settle were allowed lands on their
‘ own terms; others were taken into the service and
employed in every possible way they could be made
useful ; while such of them as were able hunters
received every encouragement, got advances, and were
fitted out with everything necessary for the plains, to bé
paid for at their own convenience. Here is the language
in which they were addressed by the Company gn their
arrival :——“ My friends! in coming to Red River *you
evince a laudable feeling, a determinatiogi-t6° ‘throw off
your savage customs, follow the habit of white men,
and cultivate civilization. If these are your views, the
Company will hold out to you the right hand of fellow-
ship, and give you every encouragement; but, remem-
ber, there is no field here for the pursuits of savage
life; your hunting and roving propensities cannot be
indulged; you must settle down, cultivate the soil, and
become Christians.”
The fairest promises were made in answer to this

Itg RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 237

appeal; but notwithstanding all the advantages. before
them, it was soon evident that the habits of a lifetime
were not to be overcome easily. Those who took lands, .
after destroying the timber, abandoned them; those
who made choice of the service soon left it, and drew into
the colony again: the plains had too many attractions
for men trained up in the school of idleness and. wild
freedom. All eyes, all hearts, were directed to the
buffalo; and the plains became the favourite haunt of
all the half-breeds. The Company, nevertheless, still
sympathized with and assisted them, more or less; but
as they increased and became formidable in numbers,
their filial duty began to cool, their allegiance became
doubtful, until, as we have before observed, what. at
first was asked as a favour was at last boldly demanded
as a right, and every refusal was met on their part by a
menace or threat. In this state of things, it required
but a spark to set the combustible materials into a
living flame, and that spark soon fell among them.

In their vagrant mode of life,:the half-breeds, fre-
quently crossing and re-crossing the line, had tampered
with the Company’s rights, contrary to the regulations
of the colony. This conduct was\not altogether over-
looked at the time, for they were distinctly warned of
the line of conduct they were to pursue in future; yet
their apparent impunity served as an invitation to
others, who could not plead the same ignorance. In
restraining these interlopers, the Company’s officers
went a step too far.themselves. As Canadian, by the
name of Registe Larant, having, as was alleged, been
guilty of infringing the Company’s chartered rights, his

238 ~ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

house was forced open, and the furs it contained forcibly
seized by the Company’s officers. A similar act was
committed on another Canadian; and a third seizure was
made at Manetobah- Lake, and the owner of the furs
made prisoner, conveyed to York Factory, and threat-
ened with deportation to England. These acts greatly
enraged the wholt Canadian “population; and as that
class exercised considerable influence over the French
half-breeds, chiefly their own offspring, they delighted
to aggravate their hatred against their superiors. From
this moment both parties united in sentiment and ill-will
against the rule of the Company.* -

The English half-breeds for a while remained staunch,
but they also at length considered themselves aggrieved
by the following circumstance :—One of the Company’s
‘ officers,” residing at a distance, had placed two of his
daugliter’s at the boartling-school in the-settlement. An
English half-breed, a comely, well-behaved young man,
of respectable connections, was paying his addresses to
one of these young ladies, and had asked her in
marriage. The young lady had another suitor in the
person of a Scotch lad; but her~affections were in

* We may here remark, by the way, that these acts were at the

time considered heedless and impolitic, inasmuch as there was no
proof that the furs thus seized were to have been sent out of the

2 country through any other channel than that of the Company.

The Company at home, indeed, took this yiew of the case by
reprimanding its ¢fficers and indemnifying,the parties injured ;
and so effectual was their policy, that for the last twenty-five
years only one solitary instance of trespass against the Company's
rights has occurred. Subjects j in Red River enjoy great freedom

under the Contpany's sway. ° ‘
xB

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 239

favour of the former, while her guardian, the chief
officer in Red River, preferred the latter. In his zeal
to succeed in the choice he had made for the young
lady, this gentleman sent for the half-breed, and repri-
manded him for aspiring to the hand of .a lady
accustomed, as he expressed it, to the first society.
The young man, without saying a word, put on his hat
and walked out of the room; but being a leading man
among his countrymen, the whole fraternity took fire at
the insult. “ This is the way,” said they, “‘ that we
half-breeds are despised and treated.” From that
moment they clubbed together, in high dudgeon, and
joined the French malcontents against their rulers; so
that for years afterwards this spirit of combination and
hatred gave rise to plots, plans, and unlawful meetings
among them, which threatened, and threatens, in a more
or less degree, to this moment, the peace and tranquil-
lity of the settlement. As we could not avoid mention
of this love-story, we may add that the Scotchman
earried off the prize.

The Papineau rebellion which broke out in Canada
about this time, and the echo of which soon reached us,
added fresh fuel to the spirit ‘of disaffection. The
Canadians of Red River sighed for the success- of their
brethren’s cause. Patriotic songs were chanted on every
side in praise of Papineau. In the plains, the half-breeds
made a flag, called the Papineau standard, which was
waved in triumph for years, and the rebels’ deeds
extolled to the skies.

Such was the spirit of the times when the collision
between Mr. Simpson and the half-breeds took place,

‘240 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

and we have had two or three disturbances since.
Last spring upwards of 300 of them ‘assembled at
Fort Garry, demanding a higher price for their plain
provisions; but their request was no sooncr complied
with, than they were loud in their demands for an
export trade. The Governor-in-chief, being on the spot,
answered this demand by one of his own. “ What,”
said he to them, “have you got for sale?” well knowing
that at the time they had nothing to eat, far less to sell.
« What,” repeated he again to them, “have you got for
sale?” They looked at each other, but uttered not
a word. Continuing the subject, the Governor observed
again, “ My friends! if you can load a ship, half a ship,
or a quarter of a ship, I shall furnish you with that
ship for nothing I will do. more for you; if you can
furnish even a boat’s load of any exportable article, I
shall take it off your hands immediately, and pay you.
down the London price for it!” It may be imagined
how sheepish théy looked, with this brilliant prospect
before them, and not an ounce of anything for sale.
Their mouths being thus completely shut, they dropped.
away, one by one, without saying a word.

When any threat or demand is contemplated, which
may lead to a disturbance, the Canadians never fail to act
‘as prompters, and push the half-breeds forward in the
front rank, while they themselves are slyly lurking behind
the curtains. “This is always their mode of attack ; and
the half-breeds, from their ignorance and simplicity, are
invariably made the silly tools of their more designing
confederates. It is never any definite grievance they
complain of; but sometimes one thing, sometimes

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 241

another. The minds of the ignorant are poisoned and
inflamed by restless and disaffected demagogues, who
wish te put down the existence of all social order, law,
and subordination in the settlement. Nor is this
deplorable state of things to be much wondered’ at,
considering the mixed and discordant elements of our
population, and our situation in a country so remote,
with no protection but the good will of the people.
With these general reinarks, we turn more particu-
Jarly to our proposed subject—the plains and plain-
hunters. Buffalo-hunting here, like bear-hunting in
India, has become a popular and favourite amusement
among all classes; and Red River, in consequence, has
been brought inte some degree of notice, by the presence
of strangers from foreign countries. We are now
occasionally visited by men of science as well as men of
pleasure. The war road of the savage, and the solitary
haunt of the bear, have of late been resorted to by the
florist, the botanist, and the geologist; nor is it uncommon
now-a-days to see Officers of the Guards, Knights,
Baronets, and some of the higher nobility of England,
and other countries, coursing their steeds over the
boundless plains, and enjoying the pleasures of the
chase among the half-breeds and savages of the country.
Distinction of rank is, of course, out of the question ;
and, at the close of the adventurous day, all squat down
in merry mood together, enjoying the social freedom of
equality round Nature’s table, and the novel treat of a
fresh buffalo-steak served up in the style'of the country
—thatis to say, roasted on a forked stick before the fire ;
a keen appetite their only sauce, cold wdtérheonB>
M

242 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

beverage. Looking at this assemblage through the '
medium of the imagination, the mind is led back to the
chivalric period of former days, when chiefs and vassals
“took counsel together.” It may be trusted, that the ©
moral influence will eventually lead to the elevation
of the savage, and add a link to the chain of his progress |
-in civilization.

The half-breeds, from their intermarriages and other
connections with the Indians, form, at least when united
together, nearly a half of the settlement; certainly a
striking fact, when it is remembered what a gipsy-like
class they are, holding themselves above all restraint,
and well knowing the defenceless state of the colony.
In other countries property gives strength, and the want
of it weakness; but here the case is reversed. Not to
be unjust, and considering the risks and hazards they
run in acquiring a livelihood, the half-breeds are by no
.,means an ill disposed people—on the contrary, they
possess many good qualities; while enjoying a sort of
licentious freedom, they are generous, warm-hearted, and
brave, and left to themselves, quiet and orderly. They
are, unhappily, as unsteady as the wind in all their
habits, fickle in their dispositions, credulous in their
faith, and clannish in their affections. In a word}
of all people they are the easiest led astray and made
the dupes of designing men.

With the earliest dawn of spring, the hunters are in
motion, like bees, and the colony in a state of confusion,
from their going to and fro, in order to raise the wind, and
prepare themselves for the fascinating enjoyments of hunt-
ing. It is now that the Company, the farmers, the petty

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 243

traders, are all beset by their incessant and irresistible

importunities. The plain mania brings everything else to
_ a stand. One wants a horse, another an axe, a third a
cart; they want ammunition, they want clothing, they
want provisions; and though people may refuse one or
two they cannot deny a whole population, for indeed over
much obstinacy would not be unattended with risk.
Thus the settlers are reluctantly dragged into profligate
speculation—a system fraught with much eyil, and
ruinous alike'to the giver and receiver of such favours.

The plain-hunters, finding they can get whatever
they want without ready money, are led into ruinous

,
i

extravagances; but the evil of the long credit system
does not end here. It is now deeply rooted, and infused
into all the affairs and transactions of the place. Nor,
indeed, is this the worst. The baneful influence of
these wild and licentious expeditions over the minds and
morals of the people is so uncontrollable, that it

_ unhinges all their ideas, and draws into its illusive train,
not only the hunters, but almost every class of our
population. So many temptations, so many attractions
are held out to the thoughtless and giddy, so fascinating
is the sweet air of frecdom, that even the offspring of
Europeans, as well as natives, are often induced to cast

_ off their habits of industry, and leave their comfortable
homes to try their fortunes in the plains; there, however,
disappointment and ruin never fail to convince them of
their error, and dearly at last do they repent their folly.
The practical result of all this may be stated in few
words. After the expedition starts, there is not a man-
servant or maid-servant to be found in the colony. At

244 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: --

any season but seed time and harvest time, the settle-
ment is literally swarming with idlers; but at these _
urgent periods, money cannot procure them. This
alone is most injurious to the agricultural class, and iff '
so, to every other in the settlement; but we will now
also look at the subject in another light—by calculating
the actual money value expended in one trip, estimating
also their lost time as follows :—

STATEMENT.
£38. d. £ os

1,210 carts, number to th
, Sunes *t at 110 0 each, 1,815 0

plains this year.......,...+06

a mn hunters, 2 months or ®t » 0 1 0 perday, 1,860 0
AYS cveesecssensereeseesceeees
650 women, two months ...... »n 0 0 9 ” 1,462 10
360 boys and girls...........00 » 0 0 4 ” 860 0
740 QUNS..sccsesecesteceessceeenees » 2 0 O each, 1,480 0
150 gallons gunpowder......... » 016 O per gallon, 120 0
1,300 pounds trading balls...... » © 1 ‘0 perpound, 65 0
6,240 gun flints.........sscreeseeens » © O 0$ each, 13 0
100 steel dagues.....ccccsessescee » 0 38 0 ” 15 0
100 couteaux de chasse......... » 0 8 0 y 15 0
ered ee
655 cart horses .... » § 00 y 5,240 0
586 draught oxen ,.. » 600 3,516 0
-----""T5210 seta of hatnéss ecu yy 08 OO y!S!S”*«iB:CO
408 riding saddles ............606 » 0 8 0 4 161 4
403 bridles and whips ......... » 0100 , 201 10
1,240 scalping knives ............ » 0 06 y 31 0
448 half axes...cccccscccseeseees » 026 , 56 0
Sundries. Camp equipage, such as tents, tent furniture,
culinary utensils, too tedious to be enumerated ...... i 1,059 16

£24,000 0

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 245

Hence the variety of articles and the large sum
required for the outfit of one expedition; one half of the
whole amount is generally on credit, depending on the
uncertain and doubtful returns of the trip, to liquidate
the debt.

To illustrate the subject further by this year’s
expedition. On the 15th of June, 1840, carts were
seen to emerge from every nook and corner of the
settlement, bound for the plains. As they passed on,
many things were discovered to be still wanting, to
supply which a halt had to be made at Fort Garry
shop; one wanted this thing, another that, but all
on credit. The day of payment was yet to come: it
was promised. Many on the present occasion were
supplied, many were not: they got and grumbled, and
grumbled and got, till they could get no more; and at
last went off, still grumbling and discontented.

From Fort Garry the cavalcade and camp-followers
went crowding on to the public road, and thence,
stretching from point to point, till the third day in the
evening, when they reached Pembina, the great rendez-
vous on such occasions. When the hunters leave the
settlement, it enjoys that relief which a person feels on
recovering from a long and painful sickness. Here, on
a level plain, the whole patriarchal camp squatted down
like pilgrims’on a journey to the Holy Land, in ancient
days ; only not quite so devout, for neither scrip nor
staff were consecrated for the occasion. Here the roll
was called, and general muster taken, when they
numbered, on this occasion, 1,630 souls; and here the
rules and regulations for the journey were finally settled.

"2.46 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

The officials for the trip were named and installed into
office; and all without the aid of writing materials.
_The camp occupied as much ground as a modern city,
and was formed in a circle; all the carts were placed
side by sitle Hie trams outward. These are trifles, yet
they are important to our subject. Within this line
of circumvallation, the tents were placed’ in double,
treble rows, at one end; the animals at the other in
front of the tents. This is the order in all dangerous
places; but where no danger is apprehended, the animals
are kept on the outside. Thus the carts formed a
strong barrier, not only for securing the people and
their animals within, but as a place of shelter and
defence against an attack of the enemy without.
In 1820, the number of carts assembled here for the firsttrip was 540

In 1825 . ws 680.
Tn 1830 . 820
In 1835 970
In 1840 1,210

From this statement it is evident that the plain-
hunters are rapidly increasing. There is, howefer,
another appendage belonging to the expedition, andto
every expedition of the kind, which we might notice en
passant; for the reader may be assured they are not
always the least noisy. We allude tosthe dogs or camp
followers. On the present occasion they numbered no
fewer than 542; sufficient of themselves to consume no
small number of animals per day, for, like their masters,
they dearly relish a bit of buffalo meat. These animals are
kept in summer, as they are, about the establishments of
the fur-traders, for their services in winter. In deep
snows, when horses cannot conveniently be used, dogs

“x tn

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 347

are very serviceable animals to the hunters in these
parts. The half-breed, dressed in his: “wolf costume,
tackles two or three sturdy curs into a flat sled; throws
himself on it at full length, and gets among the buffalo
unperceived. Here the bow and arrow play their
part, to prevent noise; and here the skilful hunter kills
as many as he pleases, and returns to camp without
disturbing the band. ,

Many. a curious and amusing incident occurs at
buffalo-hunting, one.of which may be noticed by way
of example. A friend of the writer's, about this time,
went to enjoy a few weeks’ sport in the plains, and often
repeated, with a comic and. serious air, a scene which
took place in his own presence. Some of the hunters
who were accompanying him were conveying their
families across a large plain, intersected here and there
with clumps of wood. When in the act of rounding
one of those woody islands, a herd of buffalo suddenly
burst into view, causing two dogs who were drawing
a sled, on which a child and some luggage were being
conveyed, to set off at full speed in pursuit, leaving the
father and mother in a state of despair for the safety of
their only child. The dogs soon reached the heels of
the buffalo, and all were mixed pell-mell together; the
dogs running, the sled swinging to and fro, and the
buffalo kicking. At length a bull gored one of the dogs,
and his head getting. entangled in the harness, went off
at the gallop, carrying the dog on his horns, the other
suspended by the traces, and the sled and child whirling
behind him. The enraged animal ran a good half mile
before he shook himself clear of the encumbrance,

248 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

although pursued by a large party, by whom many shots
were fired at him without effect. The state of the parents’
feelings may be imagined; yet, to their utter astonishment,
although both dogs were killed, the child escaped unhurt!
But now to our camp again—the largest of the kind, ~
perhaps, in the world The first step was to hold a council
for the nomination of chiefs or officers, for conducting
the expedition. Ten captains were named, the senior
on this occasion being Jean Baptiste Wilkie, an English
half-breed, brought up among the French; a man of
good sound sense and long experience, and withal a
fine bold-looking and discreet fellow; a second Nimrod
in his way. Besides being captain, in common with
, the others, he was styled the great war chief or head
of the camp; and on all public occasions he occu-
pied the place of president. All articles of property
found, without an owner, were carried to him, and he
disposed of them by a crier, who went round the camp
every evening, were it only an awl. Each captain had
ten soldiers under his orders; in much the same way
that policemen are subject to the magistrate. Ten
~guides were likewise appointed; and here we “may
remakk, that people in a rude state of society, unable
either to read or write, ate generally partial to the
number ten. - Teir’ duties were to guide the camp,
each in his turn—that is day about—during the expedi-
tion. Tlie camp flag belongs to the guide of the day;
he is therefore standard-bearer in virtue of his office.
The hoisting of the flag every morning is the signal
for raising camp. Half an hour is the full time allowed
to prepare for the march; but if any one is sick, or

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 249

their animals have strayed, notice is sent to the guide,
who halts till all is made right. From the time the
flag is hoisted, however, till the hour of camping arrives,
it is never taken down. The flag taken down is the
signal for encamping. While it is up, the guide is
chief of the expedition. Captains are subject to him,
and the soldiers of the day are his messengers: he
commands all. The moment the flag is lowered, his
functions cease, and the captains’ and soldiers’ duties
commence. They point out the order of the camp, and
every cart, ag it arrives,moves to its appointed place.
This business usually occupies about the same time as
raising camp in the morning; for everything moves with
the regularity of clock-work.

All being ready to leave Pembina, the captains and
other chief men hold another council, and lay down the
rules to be observed during the expedition. Those
made on the present occasion were :—

1. No buffalo to be run on the Sabbath-day.

2, No party to fork off, lag behind, or go before,
without permission.

3. No person or party to run buffalo before the
general order.

~ 4, Every captain with his men, } in turn, to patrol the
camp, and keep guard.

5. For the first trespass against these laws, the
offender to have his saddle and bridle cut up.

6. For the second offence, the coat to be taken off the
offender’s back, and be cut up. ' ae “

7. For the third offence, the offender to be flogged.

8. Any person convicted of theft, even to the value of

N
ve
oe a
BY

> A

250 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

a sinew, to be brought to the middle of the camp, and
the .crier to call out his or her name three times,
adding the word “ Thief,” at each time.

Having mentioned their honesty, we might state an
instance in point:+ before reaching Pembina, on one
occasion, a gentleman on his way to the States forgot,
in his camping place, a tin box containing 580
sovereigns in gold, and in silver and bills the amount
of 4501 more. The following night, however, a half-
breed named Saint Matte happened to encamp on the
same spot, picked up the box, followed the gentleman a
day’s journey, and delivered box and contents into his
hands to the utmost farthing, well knowing it was
money. Considering their poverty, we might well
speak of Saint Matte’s conduct in the highest strains of
praise. And this act might be taken as an index of

* we the integrity of the whole body, generally speaking.

this virtue is fostered among them by the mildest
“means; for what have such a people to fear from a
breach of the penal code? Punishments here are
scarcely more than nominal; and may well suggest the

question to a more civilized community, whether it is-

always the severest punishments that have the best
effect in reclaiming offenders.

On the 21st, after the priest had performed mass (for
we should have mentioned that a Roman Catholic priest
generally accompanies these expeditions), the flag was
unfurled, it being now six or seven o’clock in the
morning. The. picturesque line of march soon
stretched to the length of some five or six miles, in
the direction’ of south-west, towards Cote & Pique. At

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 251

2 pM. the flag was struck, as a signal for resting the
animals. After a short interval, it was hoisted again ;
and inja few minutes the whole line was in motion, and
continued the route till five or six o’clock in the
evening, when the flag was hauled down as a signal to
encamp for the night. Distance travelled, twenty miles.

As a people whose policy it is to speak and act
kindly towards each other, the writer was not a little
surprised to see the captains and soldiers act with so
much independence and decision, not to say roughness, in
the performance of their camp duties. Did any person
appear slow in placing his cart, or dissatisfied with the
order of the camp, he was shoved :on one side sans
ceremonie, and his cart pushed forward: or backward
into line.in the twinkling of an eye, without a murmur
being heard. But mark: the disaffected persons are
not coerced into order, and made>to place their carts in
line themselves—the soldiers do it for them, and thus
betray their lack of authority; or rather it is their
policy so to do, for it would be impossible, in such
cases, to proceed to extremes, as in civilized life. The

- moment the flag was struck it was interesting to see the
rear carts hasten to close up, the lagging owners being , _

well aware that the last to arrive must take the ground

_ag it happens, however inconvenient. In less than °

twenty minutes all was in order.

The camp being formed, all the leading men, officials
and others, assembled, ~as. the general custom is, on
some little rising ground or eminence outside the ring,
and there squatted themselves down, “tailor-like, on the
grass in a sort of council, ,each having his gun, his

252, TUE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

smokimg-bag in his hand, and his pipe in hig mouth.
In-this situation the occurrences’ of the day were
' discussed, and ‘the line of march for the morrow agreed
upon. This little meeting was full of interest ; and the
fact struck me very forcibly, that there is happiness and
pleasure: in the society of the most illiterate men,
sympathetically if not intellectually, as well as among
. the learned: and I must say, I found less selfishness
“and more liberality among those, ordinary men than 1
had been accustomed to find in higher circles. Their
conversation was free, practical, and interesting; and
the time passed on more agrecably than could be —
expected among such people, till we touched on politics.
‘Like the American peasantry, these people are all
politicians, but of a peculiar creed, favouring a bar-
barous state of society and sclf-will; for they cordially
detest all the laws and restraints’ of civilized life, -
’ believing all men wére born to be free. In their own
estimation they are all great men, and wonderfully
wise ; and so long as they wander about on these wild
and lawless expeditions, they will never become a
thoroughly civilized people, nor orderly subjects ina
civilized community. Feeling their own strengfh, from
being constantly armed, and free from coitrol, they
despise all others; but above all, they are mary ellously
tenacious of their own original -habits. They cherish
freedom as they cherish life. The’ writer in vain
rebuked them for this state of things, and endeavoured
to turn the current of their thoughts into a civilized
channel. ‘They are all republicans in principle, and a
‘licentious freedom is their besetting sin.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 253

Here, for a moment, I cannot avoid continuing my
narrative in the personal form. Having left my friends
in council, I took a stroll through the camp; and.was
not long there among the tents and children, before I
discovered that; d there was a dark side to this picture.
Provisions were *Soarce scarcely a child I met but was
crying with hunger, scarcely a family but complained
they had no food. How deceiving outward appearances
are: Had I T judged of things by the lively c conv, ersation

bluif, I had been greatly deceived indedds The state
of the families in the camp revealed to me the true
state of things: the one half of them were literally
starving! . Some I did see with a little tea, and cups
and saucers too—rather fragile ware, for such a mode of
life—but with a few exceptions of this kind, the rest
disclosed nothing but scenes of misery and want: some
had a few pounds of flour; others, less fortunate, a
little wheat or barley, which they singed, and were glad
to eat in that state. Others, again, had no earthly
thing but what chance put in their way—a pheasant, a
crow, or a squirrel; and when that, failed they had to
go to bed supperless, or satisfy the’ pangs of hunger
with a few wild roots, which I saw the ‘children devour
ina raw state! A plain hunter’s life is truly a dog’s
life—a feast or a famine. To jutlge of these people’s
circumstances, it is necessary to look alittle below
the surface—to see the inside of their dwellings, their
wives and their children. Mixing with.the-men only,
the false side of things is always uppermost. Their
improvidence and want of forethought has become a

tne

254 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

proverb. They live by the chase, and at times wallow
in abundance; but, like Indians, never provide against
a bad day. Every year, every trip, sad experience
teaches them this useful lesson, “In times of plenty
provide against scarcity ;” but yet, every year, every
trip, finds them at this season in the same dilemma.
Every summer they’ starve themselves over again
going to the plains. Reason is thrown away on them.
All that can be said’ on the subject is, that it is
“their way,” and it would be as easy to change their
nature,

Early in the morning of the 22nd, the flag was
hoisted; but reports from various parts of the camp

_ prayed delay. Horses had wandered, oxen could not be

found: a hundred horsemen were out in’ search of the
missing animals; some of them, during the night, had
eturned to Pembina, and before they got back, and all
‘the strayed animals found, many were so exhausted with
fatigue that it was judged proper not to resume the
march that day, So the flag was hauled down, and
strict orders issued for the next morning. In the then
starving conditioi of the camp a day’s delay was a

. serious consideration; but it was unavoidable. When

animals are allowed to stray, the turmoil and hallooing
about the camp and environs is deafening; and the
pursuit in search of them, as well as the harassing
work bringing them back again, is far more destructive

to the animals, on expeditions of this kind, than the _

regular march itself. Hence the necessity of guarding
them well at night, apart from the risk they run of

being stolen by the enemy when out of sight of thecamp. .

* ~

7 Vd 1
TIS RISE, PROGRESS, AANDs, PRESENT STATE. 255
- -]

Of late years; the field of chase Fas*been far distant
from Pembina ; and the hunters do not so much as know
in what direction they may find’the buffalo, as these
animals frequently shift their ground. It is a mere
leap in the dark, whether at their outset the expedition
takes the right or the wrong road; and their luck in‘
the chase, of course, depends materially on the choice
they may make. The year of our narrative they
travelled a south-west or middle course; being the
one generally preferred, since it leads past most of the
rivers near their sources, where they are easily crossed.
The only inconvenience attending this choice is the
scarcity of wood, which in a warm season is but a
secondary consideration. _ pe °

Not to dwell on the ordinary routine of each day’s
journey, it was the ninth day from Pembina before we
reached the Chienne river, distant only about 150
miles; and as yet we had not seen a single band of
buffalo. On the third of July, our nineteenth day from
the settlement, and at a distance of little more than 250
miles, we came in sight of our destined hunting ground ;
and on the day following, as if to celebrate the anni-
versary of American independence, we had our first
buffalo race. Our array in the field must have been
a grand and imposing one to those who had never seen
the like before. No less than 400 hiuntsmen, all mounted,
and anxiously waiting for the word, “Start!” took up
their position in a line at one end of the camp, while
Captain Wilkie, with his spy-glass at his eye, surveyed
the buffalo, examined the ground, and issued his orders.

- At 8 o’clock the whole ‘cavalcade broke ground, and

ha,

1
256 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

made for the buffalo; first at a slow trot, then at a
gallop, and lastly at full speed. Their advance was
over a dead level, the plain having no hollow or shelter
of any kind to conceal their approach. We need not
answer any queries as to the feeling and anxicty of the
camp on such an occasion. When the horsemen
started, the cattle might have been a mile and a half
ahead; but they had approached to within four or
five hundred yards before the bulls curved their tails
or pawed the ground. In a moment more the herd
took flight, and horse and rider are presently seen
bursting in among them; shots are heard, and all is
smoke, dust, and hurry. The fattest are first singled
out for slaughter; and in less time than we have
occupied with the description, a thousand carcasses strew
the plain. ,

Those who have seen a squadron of horse dash into
battle, may imagine the scene, which we have no skill
to depict. The earth seemed to tremble when the
horses started; but when the animals fled, it was like
the, shock of an earthquake. The air was darkened ;
the rapid firing at first, soon became more and more
faint, and at last died away in the distance. Two
hours, and all was over; but several hours more
elapsed before the result was known, or the hunters
reassembled; and who is he so devoid of feeling and
curiosity, that could not listen with interest to a detail
of the perilous adventure.

The moment the animals take to flight, the best
runners dart forward in advance. At this moment a’
good horse is invaluable to his owner; for out of the

3
~

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 257

four hundred on this occasion, not above fifty got the
first chance of the fat cows. A good horse and ex-
perienced rider will select and kill from ten to twelve
animals at one heat, while inferior horses are contented
with two or three; but much depends on the nature of
the ground. On this occasion the surface was rocky,
and full of badger-holes. Twenty-three horses and
riders were at one moment all sprawling on the ground;
- one horse, gored by a bull, was killed on the spot,
two more disabled by the fall. One rider broke his
shoulder- blade; another burst his gun, and lost three of
his fingers by the accident; and a third was struck on
_the knee by an exhausted ball. These accidents will
not be thought over numerous, considering the result;
for in the evening no less than 1,375 tongues were’
brought into camp.

The rider of a good horse seldom fires till within
three or four yards of his object, and never misses;
and, what is admirable in point of training, the moment
the shot is fired, his steed springs on one side to avoid
stumbling over the animal; whereas an awkward and
shy horse will not approach within ten or fifteen yards,
consequently the rider has often to fire at random, and
not unfrequently misses; many of them, however, will
fire at double that distance, and make sure of eyery
shot. The mouth is always full of balls; they load and
fire atthe gallop, and but seldom drop a mark, although
some do to designate the animal.

When the runners leave the camp, the carts prepare
to follow to bring in the meat. The-carters have a
bewildering task to perform; they have to make their

258 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

way through a forest of carcasses, till each finds out his
own, The pursuit is no sooner over than the hunter,
with coat off and shirt sleeves’ tucked up, commences
skinning and cutting up the meat; with the knife in
one hand, the bridle hanging in the other, and the
loaded gun close by, he from time to time casts a
wistful look around, to see that no lurking enemy. is
at hand watching for the opportunity to take a scalp.
The hunter’s work is now retrograde: the last animal
killed is the first skinned, and night, not unfrequently,
surprises him at his work; what then remains is lost,
and falls to the wolves; hundreds of animals are some-
times abandoned, for even a thunder-storm, in one
hour, will render the Meat useless, spahe day of a race
is as fatiguing for-the hunter isthe horse; but the
meat once in the camp, he enjoys the very luxury
of idleness. Then the task of the women begins, who
do all the rest; and what with skins, and meat, and fat,
their duty is a most laborious one-*

We have stated, that when skinning the animals late,
or at a distance, the hunters often run great risks.
Many narrow escapes are reported on such occasions.
It was while occupied on this duty, i in an unfortunate
moment, that Louison Vallé, as already noticed, lost his
life by some lurking Sioux, who had concealed them-
selves among the jong grass, Wallé had his son, a
young boy, with him, who at the time happened to be
on his father’s horse keeping a look-out. At the
critical moment, he had shifted his ground a few yards,
and the enemy rushing in upon him suddenly, he had
just time to call out to the boy, “ Make for the camp,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 259

‘zd

make for the camp!
of arrows. But the deed was not long unrevenged.
The boy got to the camp, the alarm was given, and ten
half-breeds, mounting their horses, overtook the mur-
derers in less than an hour. The Sioux were twelve
in number; four got into the bushes, but the other

and instantly fell under a shower

eight were overtaken and shot down like beasts of prey.
One of the half-breeds had a narrow escape, an arrow
passing between his shirt and skin; the others got off
scot free, and all returned to the camp in safety.
Buffalo-hunting is called a sport, but the most
miraculous and hair-breadth escapes sometimes occur,
-while at others no escape is possible: the hunter
getting alongside an enraged animal,-it makes a sudden
thrust sideways, gores the horse, and occasionally kills
_ the rider. It is with buffalo as with rabbits, whether
from the situation of the eyes, or some other cause,
they see better sideways than straight forward. The
writer was one of a party once, running buffalo, and
while making our way through a herd, looking here
and there, as the custom is, for the fattest animal before
firing, a bull, hard pressed, turned suddenly round on
one of my companions, who happened to be near me
at the time; to avoid the thrust in - this dilemma, the
horse made also a sudden start to one. sides -when ithe
saddle-girth gave way, and the rider, saddfp, and ail,
were left between the bull’s horns, which so surprised
the sturdy brute, that with one toss of his head he threw
the man high up in the air. Strange to relate, he fell
on another bull passing a few yards off, and yet escaped
with the fright alone, having received no other injury.

260 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

This class, in the whole tenor of their lives, resemble
the chamois-hunters of the Alps—those, at least, of
former days. “It is the chase itself which attracts
these people, more than the value of the prey; it is the
attraction of hope and fear—the continual excitement—
the very dangers themselves, which render the chamois-
hunter indifferent to all other pleasures. The very few
individuals who grow old in this trade, bear on their
countenances the traces of the life which they have led.
They have a wild and somewhat haggard and desperate
air, by which they may be recognised in the middle
of a crowd.” It is so with the buffalo-hunter: he
encounters many dangers, so that his physical powers
are often put to the severest trials; but it has been
_ said, and with truth, “ that there are few things
“beyond the reach of human energy.”

A chamois-hunter, vaunting of his love for the chase,
observed one day to Saussure the naturalist, “My
grandfather was killed in the ‘chase of the chamois;
my father was killed also; and I am so certain
.that1 shall be killed myself, that I call this bag,
which I always carry hunting, my winding-sheet. “I
am sure that I shall have no other; and yet, if you
were to offer to make my fortune upon the condition
that I should renounce the chase of the chamois, I
should refuse your kindness.” This, too, is precisely
the case with the hunters of the buffalo. There is no
earthly consideration would make them relinquish the
pursuit. They see the steady and industrious farmer
indulge in every necessary and luxury of life, without

risk, happy and contented ; they may even envy his lot,
an

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 261

and acknowledge their own poverty; and yet, so strong
is their love for the uncertain pursuit of buffalo-hunt-
ing, that when the season arrives, they sacrifice every
other consideration in order to indulge in this savage
habit. Wedded to it from their infancy, they find no
pleasure in anything else.

Of all the operations which mark the hunter’s life,
and are essential to his ultimate success, the most
perplexing, perhaps, is that of finding out and identify-
ing the animals he kills during a race. Imagine four
hundred horsemen entering at full speed a herd of some
thousands of buffalo, all in rapid motion. Riders in
clouds of dust and volumes of smoke, which darken
the air, crossing and re-crossing each other in every
direction; shots on the right, on the left, behind, before,
here, there; two, three, a dozen at a time, everywhere
in close succession, at the same moment. Horses
stumbling, riders falling, dead and wounded animals

- tumbling here afd fliere; one over the other; and
this zig-zag and bewildering mélée continued for an
hour or more together in wild confusion ; and - yet,
from practice, so keen is the eye, so correct the judg-
ment of the hunter, and so discriminating his memory,
that after getting to the end of the race, he can not
only tell the number of animals he had shot down, but
the position in which each lies—on the right or on the
left side—the spot where the shot hit, and the direction

‘of the ball; and also retrace his way, step by step,
through the whole race, and recognise every animal

‘he had the fortune to kill, without the least hesitation

‘or difficulty. “To divine how this is accomplished

} -
5 t

262 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

bewilders the imagination. To unriddle the Chinese
puzzles, to square the circle, or even to find out the
perpetual motion, seems scarcely more puzzling to the
stranger, than that of a hunter finding out his own
animals after a buffalo race.

The writer asked one of the hunters how it was
possible that each could know his own animals in such
a mélange? He answered by putting a question re-

- markable for its appropriate ingenuity. ‘“ Suppose,”
said he, “that four hundred learned persons all wrote
words ‘here and there on the same sheet of paper, would
not the fact be that each scholar would point out his
own handwriting?” It is true, that practice makes
perfect; but with all the perfection experience can

» @ give, much praise is due to the discriminating know-
ledge of these people;. quarrels being rare indeed
among them on such occasions.

When the buffalo are very numerous, as was the
case: this. year, they run several times in succession,
and then a day or two is set apart for drying and
manufacturing the provisions, which is done on low
stages by the heat of the sun. All provisions, how-
ever, keep the better if made a little crispy with the _
heat of the fire. In the early part of the season the
bulls are fat and the cows lean; but in the autumn the
case is the reverse, the bulls are lean and the cows
fat. A bull in good condition will yield 45 Ibs. of clean
rendered tallow; cows, when in good order, will pro-
duce, on an average, 35 Ibs. Flesh and bones, however,
boiled down and consumed, will yield fully double that
quantity.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 263

A word of advice will not be deemed out of place
here perhaps. On every expedition of this kindgaye
would recommend a race given gratis, for the benefit
of the poor and helpless, for they are often many. The
half-breeds need only be told this duty, and they will
cheerfully do it, for they are in general a kind and
generous people. During a summer expedition, the
average number of general races—that is, the whole
hunter§, to run at once—may be about ten or twelve;
but the®e are many small or sectional races. When
the buffalo are in small bands, only a few horses run
in turn; these should be left for the poorer party, who
have but indifferent horses; but this is not the case.
Although the half-breeds are generous, yet their vanity
is greater than their generosity; were only ten to run,
those ten would be the best horses. Their regulations
do not always guard against injustice. A feeling for
the poor of their own people is often overlooked ; hence
they not unfrequently return back as empty as they
went, ,

.Every: movement, according to the existing system,
is exceedingly well regulated ; but the’ system is alto-
gether a bad one, and far from producing that
profitable result which a well-regulated business, under
proper management, might do. How many of these
people had a kettle to melt their fat in? For want
of this simple and cheap article, much of it was lost.,
They had even to borrow axes, knives, and awls from
each other for the duties of the camp. And after the |
first week, many of them had scarcely a ball to put
in their guns; except what might be required for self-

264 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

defence. There is a manifest conflict of want and .
waste in all their arrangements. As a proof of the
most profligate waste of animals, after all their starving,
we might mention, that during the first and second
races, it was calculated that not less than 2,500 animals
had been killed, and out of that number only 375 bags
of pemmican and 240 bales of dried meat were made!
Now, making all,due allowance for waste, 750 animals
would have been ample for such a result. What, then,
we might ask, became of the remaining 1,750? Surely
the 1,630 mouths, starving as they had been for the
month before (not forgetting a due allowance for the
dogs), never consumed that quantity of becf in the
short space of four or five days! The food, in
short, was wasted; and this is only a fair example
of the manner in which the plain business is carried
on under the present system. Scarcely one-third in
number of the animals killed is turned to account.
Abundance now caused every countenance to smile
with joy, and. the profligate waste of to-day obliterated
all remembrance of the starvation of yesterday. The
regulations of the camp not permitting us to remain
longer than three days in one place, and the animals,
having left us, we raised camp to follow them, which.’
led us far south to the elevated plateau, which divides
the waters that debouch into Hudson's Bay, from those
that flow into the Missouri. On the 16th we encamped
on the bank of the latter river, when about forty of our
hunters pent on a visit to the American trading post,
called Fort Union. Here they were kindly received,
and bartéred away furs and provisions for articles they

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 265

either fancied or were in actual need of; and, among
other good things, the prohibited article of whisky, at
four pounds sterling the gallon, abating nothing for
what the Missouri had contributed to it. Our people,
however, avowed it was the best liquor they ever
drank, for it made no one drunk.*

After passing a week on the banks of the Missouri,
we turned to the west, where we had a few races with
various success. We were afterwards for some time
led backwards and forwards at the pleasure of the
buffalo, often crossing and re-crossing our path, until
we had travelled to almost every point of the compass.

While in this quarter, one of the Sioux chiefs,
called the “Terre qui brule,” or Burnt Earth, and his
band, visited our camp. The affair of Vallé, and the
eight Sioux who had been killed, was the subject of
their mission. Among other things, the chief accused
the half-breeds of wanton cruelty. “ Only one of
your friends fell,” said he, “and for that one, you
murdered eight of my countrymen.” After some time,
however, the affair was amicably settled. An Indian
chief is always well received and kindly treated by the
half-breeds. These people have a lively sympathy for
the Indians, unless their half civilized, half barbarian
blood is raised ; and then they are worse than the worst
of savages, for their cruelty and revenge have no
bounds. A small collection was made and given to

* The tariff of the Missouri traders is very high compared with
ours in Red River. A knife costs 5s.; a pound of coarse plug
tobacco the same; and a common blanket 25s.; being considerably
‘more than the double of our prices for similar articles.

266 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

the chief, according to Indian custom, and we parted
good friends, as far as outward appearances went. We,
nevertheless, kept a strict watch day and night ; and this ”
was rendered the more necessary as we had noticed
several suspicious parties on the distant hills.

We may notice in this place a fact not generally
known—that the Sioux have their telegraphic com-
munications and signals, as well as the whites. A
smoke is raised on some height, it is answered on
another, and so on from height to height, from party to
party, and from one camp to another; so that in half
an hour’s time, intelligence may be communicated a
hundred miles off. The nature of the intelligence
is explained by the number of fires raised. For
example:—two smokes got up within a few yards of
each other, simultaneously, is a signal that enemies have
been seen; three, that some misfortune has happened.
Smoke in the evening conveys good tidings; in the
morning, bad news; and so forth. From the very level
nature of the country, these people are very expert in
communicating telegraphic intelligence to each other.
Every other day we were annoyed with signals of this
description. No man, the most intelligent politician,
can be more keen and watchful of his national interest,
than a Sioux chief: nothing escapes him. However
uncultivated his mind may be, the fire of his eye, the
expression of his countenance, shows that in many
instances there is but a short link wanting between the
‘cultivated and the uncultivated understanding. The
phrases, the thoughts, and ideas of these men, are
highly natural and appropriate. As a nation, they are

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 267

proud and sensitive. To the half-breeds they are
annoying and formidable. _ :

But the day is fast approaching, nor can it be far
distant, when the transient glories and fears of the
plain-rangers must arrive at their end. The buffalo, the
exciting cause, once extinct, the wandering and savage
life of the half-breed, as well as the savage himself,
niust give place to a more genial and interesting order
of things; when here, as in other parts of the world,
the husbandman and the plough, the sound of the grind-
stone, and the church-going bell, will alone be heard.
Things are fast verging to this end. . Buffalo, the only
inducement to the plains, are falling off fast. They are
now like a ball between two players. The Americans
are driving them north, the British south; and there is
no space unmolested in which they may find an abiding-
place. The west alone will furnish them a last and
temporary retreat. . :

After a few. more rambles and buffalo- hunts, we
turned our backs to the south, and came gently down
the smooth and undulating hills and dales, shrubless
and bare, that lead to the north. The place being
rather suspicious, scouts and armed parties were sent
out to reconnoitre, and to occupy the heights; viewed
from which, the line of carts, several miles in extent,
presented an interesting and somewhat imposing aspect.
Here Wilkie, with the officials grouped around him,
stood viewing the different parties as they drew up to
camp with as much dignity and self-satisfaction as
Wellington could have marshalled his victorious army
* after the battle of Waterloo.

268 THE RED RIVER\SETTLEMENT :

But we had not long enjoyed these pleasing reflec-
tions, when one of the reverses so common in these
parts darkened the sunshine of our happiness.- In the
morning of the 22nd, the atmosphere became suddenly
overcast; the lightning flashed in vivid gleams, and
presently two of our horses were struck dead. There
was then a lull till about 2 o’clock in the afternoon,
when suddenly one of the most terrific storms ever
witnessed, perhaps, burst upon the camp. Thunder,
lightning, wind, and rain, contended violently for
the mastery. Our camp was pitched on a high rocky
ground, and yet, in the course of ten minutes’ time, the
deluge of rain that fell set everything afloat. The
camp was literally swimming. Several children were
with difficulty saved from drowning; and so fierce and
overwhelming was the wind, that the tents were either
flattened to the ground, or fluttering like ribbons in the
air. During this distressing scene, three of the lodges
were struck by lightning, in one of which a Canadian
named Courchaine was killed, and a gun which stood
by him melted in several parts like lead; in the second,
an Indian, his wife, and two children, being all that
were in the tent, shared the same fate; two dogs were
also killed. The inmates of the third tent escaped.
Thunder-storms are of common occurrence at this
spot, and we heard that two Indians were killed there
the year before.

Storms of hail of uncommon size are often expe-
rienced in the plains: one of these passed over our,
camp on the Missouri heights, in which the hailstones
were composed of solid angular pieces of ice, measuring

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 269

from four to five inches in circumference, and wounded

several of our people who had been exposed to their

violence. During storms of this kind, when the camp

is in disorder, the Indians approach for the purpose of

horse-stealing, and of doing more serious injury, if in

their power. A hunter’s life is, therefore, at best, but a

precarious one, and seldom free from extreme anxiety

and danger.

_ On the 25th, as we drew near the Chienne River on

~ our way home, while the hunters were busy drying |
their provisions for a fresh start, between forty and
fifty Saulteaux, attached as camp-followers to the

expedition, went off a distance of some tert miles to

surprise and destroy a small camp of the Sioux, which

had been’ discovered the day before. All the caution,

craft, and finesse of these savages did not\prevent them

being discovered when within a mile or.two of the

tents; but the Sioux taking them for strangers on a

friendly visit, went out .to the, number of fifteen or

twenty to welcome them:

At the place where they met, the twé parties were
divided by a small tract of water, which the Sioux wére
preparing to swim, when the treacherous Saulteaux
fired a volley among them, and three of the party fell.

The volley was instantly returned, and at the same
moment three smokes were seen to rise as a signal to
the Sioux camp, signifying what had happened; at the
camp the signal was repeated to warn another at a still
greater distance; while they, not to lose time, were
observed to advance in great haste on foot. The
Saulteaux now retreated, but the Sioux swam across

270 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: we

and pursued; and if the night had not fallen before the
‘reinforcemeat could arrive, every Saulteaux present
would have been scalped. Seven Sioux were killed,
and three wounded. Of the Saulteaux, three were
killed and four wounded: the rest got back to the
camp a little before day. We ought to have mentioned,
that as soon as the Indians set off to find the Sioux,
six of the half-breeds mounted their horses, made a
circuit to reach a neighbouring height, and there
remained smoking their pipes, and looking at their
friends during the whole time of the combat. ;
This affair was like to have caused serious troubles.
The Saulteaux and half-breeds, be it remembered, are
mostly all related, either by marriage, or other kindred
ties; and but for this it might have fared ill with the
assailants guilty of such treachery. The half-breeds
themselves, indeed, were greatly to blame, for not
punishing them ; since it is clear, if the camp had not
secured to the Saulteaux a safe retreat, they had
never ventured on such a step as to attack the Sioux
in the middle of their own country. But this was not
all. It was proved afterwards that a half-breed named
Parisien was with the Saulteaux in the fight, and had
actually fired the first shot. Had the half-breeds done
their duty, they would have bastinadbed him, at the
least. The Sioux, however, soon tool’ ample revenge.
On the day following, 300 Sioux, armed cap-a-pie,
appeared in front of the half-breed camp, and challenged
the Saulteaux to turn out, man to_man, and fight it out;
but the Saulteaux begged to be excused, and the half-
breeds acting as mediators between them, a sort of

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 271

peace was patched up, and the Sioux returned—we may
be sure, far from well pleased. This affair imposed on the
camp the necessity of additional vigilance; the camp by
night was watched by a double guard, and armed
parties were kept constantly on the patrol. The Sioux
had set the plains on fire in various directions, the
animals were scared off, and had these steps been taken
as early as they were late in the season, no hunt could
have been made} which shows how. circumspect the
hunters ought to be, in order to retain the friendship of
the Indians. Generally speaking, the half-breeds are
sufficiently on their guard; but it is bad policy to allow
so many bands of the Saulteaux to accompany them
into their enemies’ country, and on this occasion, they
certainly showed too much lenity.

On leaving the river Chienne, Parisien, the same
fellow who joined the Saulteaux against the Sioux, got
into the dumps, and forked off to take a road of his
own, contrary to the regulations of the camp, when
Hallett, one of the captains, rode after him, and with a
crack or two of his whip, turning his horses, brought
them back to the camp. The fellow said nothing, but
sat down in gloomy mood; after some little time,
thinking better of it, he got up and followed his carts.
Here, again, we have another instance of the want of
proper discipline. In place of compelling Parisien to
return with his carts, the captain, as on a former
occasion, had to bring them back himself. A day or
two afterwards, however, when getting out of danger,
and within a short distance of the Céte & Pique, several
small bands forked off under various pretences, and

272 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

were allowed to go. ‘The main party, however, kept
on its course till it reached Pembina. Jere all the
functions of the men in office ceased, the camp broke
up, and the different parties, as they got ready,
threaded their way to the settlement, where they arrived
on the 17th of August, after a journey of two months
and two days.

We remarked at the time how much the settlement
was relieved when the hunters left it for the plains; their
return was the renewal of our troubles. The regular
order of things is reversed: industry is almost at a dead
stand, and everything turned, as it were, topsy-turvy
again. Here once more the farmer is placed in an
awkward position. In the midst of harvest his people
are diverted-from their labour, their fields, and their
homes. Nor is this the only evil he experiences. The
moment the people arrive from the plains, and pro-
visions become abundant, servants’ wages rise 50 per
cent. So long as they can obtain plenty to eat, idlers
will not work. Not only is labour interrupted, but the
market is overstocked; and the husbandman, in the
midst of this untimely superabundance, is unable to sell
his produce. ( s

The carts having now got back to the settlement, and
the trip being a successful one, the returns on this
occasion may be taken as a fair annual average. An
approximation to the truth is all we can arrive at, how-
ever. Our estimate is 900 pounds weight of buffalo

meat per cart, a thousand being considered the full load, ~

which gives 1,089,000 pounds in all, or something more .
than 200 pounds weight for each individual, old and

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 273

young, in the settlement. As soon as the expedition
arrived, the Hudson’s Bay Company, according to usual
custom, issued a notice that it would take a certain
specified quantity of provisions, not from each fellow
that had been at the plains, but from each old and
recognised hunter. The established price at this period
for the three kinds over ‘head, fat, pemmican, and dried
meat, was 2d. per pound. This was then the Company’s
standard price; but there is generally a market for all
the fat they bring. During the years 1839, 40, and
41, the Company expended 5,0002. onthe purchase of
plain provisions, of which the hunters’ got last year
the sum of 1,2001., being rather more money than all
the agricultural class obtained for their produce in the
same year. The reader has already been advertised of
the fact that the Company’s demand affords the only
regular market or outlet in the colony, and, as a matter
of course, it is the first supplied.

The Company being served, there is really no sale
except to a few private individuals—unless, indeed, the
crops fail, in which case the plain-hunters find a ready
market; yet, before they have paid their debts in part,
got their supplies in part (for everything they do is by
halves), the whole of their provisions, one way or other,
is dribbled off. In less than a month, therefore, they
have to start on the second trip, as destitute of supplies,
as deeply in debt, and as ill provided as at first. Such
was the result of the expedition we have described in
detail, and such is the result of every expedition. The
writer is not acquainted with a single instance, during
the last twenty-five years, of one-of these plain-hunters

nb
A

274 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

being able to clear his way or liquidate his expenses, far
less to save a shilling by the chase; the absence of a
proper system, and thé want of a market, render it
impossible.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 275

CHAPTER XIX.

* Conrents.—First steps to civilization—Habits change—Influence
of the Scotch emigrants—Gospel planted in Rupert’s Land—
Mr. West—Bishop’s visit—Mr. Cockran and the Swampies—_
Indian settlement-—The paraon’s mistake—Rules for missionary
enterprise—Mr. Cockran takes leave of the Swampies—Their
character—The Roman Catholic mission of St. Paul—Rev. Mr.
Belcourt—Wabassimong mission—Wesleyan mission—Religious
opposition—Baie des Canards mission—Partridge Crop mission
—Protestants versus Catholics—Sagacious chief—False impres-
sions of Red River abroad—Churches and missionaries —
Liberality of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

During the severe struggles and multiplied difficulties
which agitated the colony in the days of its infancy, the
Indians passed and re-passed, taking but little interest
in our affairs, unless to look down with contempt on our
slow and painful drudgery, or, it might be, interrupt
and annoy us; but no sooner had perseverance and.
industry overcome the difficulties opposed to us, than
these children of the wilds began to edge themselves in;
not indeed to labour themselves, but to partake, if
possible, in the fruits of our toil. This, however, was
the first step gained towards civilization that exercised
any degree of influence over the Indian character in

| A.

276 . THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT ;

Red River. Their attention was riveted, their minds
were receptive of a new idea, Convince the Indian, and
you have him. As time rolled on, our Indian brethren
drew nearer and nearer to us by slow degrees; one
here and one there attached himself to the whites, so
that the friendly intercourse acquired more and more
strength every day. The Scotch emigrants had not
been long in the land of their adoption before this
" friendly feeling became manifest.

It was invariably observed, however, that of all the
different tribes that visited the settlement, the, mem-
bers of one only looked favourably on civilization, or
showed any attachment to the whites. This was a tribe
of the great Cree nation, called Swampies, from the low
‘ country or sea-coast. At the period of the coalition
between the two rival fur companies, many of their
servants and hangers-on were turned adrift, and not a
few of these had formed connections with Indian women.
. These persons, on coming to Red River with their
families, left their Indian relatives behind; and the
latter, it may be supposed, longed to follow. them, in
order to taste of the good things which they knew only
by report. From time to time these friendly Indians
have visited and sojourned for a short time in the settle-
ment; but it was not till the present year that any
Swampy took up his permanent abode i in the colony.
One of this tribe came all the way from the swamps of
Oxford-house, a distance of 500 miles, with the inten-
tion of visiting a daughter and step-son he had in Red
River, and returning back the following spring; but he
passed the winter with a family of his former acquaint-

4
.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 277

ance, who made every effort to convert him from his
wandering and heathen habits. The result was, that he
sent one of his’ children to school, and remained with
them and the whites. Everything must have a begin-
ning, and had the example of industry thus set been
directed in the proper way, civilization might, ere now,
have spread itself through the length and breadth of
Rupert’s Land.

Six years after the Scotch settlers reached the colony,
they were followed, as we have before noticed, by

‘Canadian emigrants of French origin; and two years .
later, Mr. West, an English missionary, came to”

the settlement. Slow and uncertain as was the pro-
gress of agriculture here in those days, yet the soil
produced enough to keep hope alive; and on the
strength of that hope a few Indian children were
collected together by Mr. West, and put to school

among the children of the whites. This was all that 7

was or could well be done at the time; for everything
was regulated by the prospect of the crops, the labour
and success of the husbandman.

Here it becomes our duty to correct an error in a
matter of some historical interest. It is stated in
Hochelaga, p, 156, that “In the year 1820, Mr. West, a
missionary, first preached the pure Gospel on the banks
of the Red River.” Now, what is the fact? For eight
years before Mr. West crossed the Atlantic, baptism
was administered, marriages solemnized, prayer-meet-
ings established, and the pure gospel proclaimed on
the banks of Red River, both by Presbyterians and
Catholics. Let the reader compare this fact with the

278 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT!

statement of a venerable prelate, which we here sub-
join:—“ It is the Episcopal Church of England,” says
his lordship, “ which took the lead, and gave the impulse
to other parties in,whatever has been yet done, of arfy
note, for planting and extending any of the forms of
Christianity in that land.” (Bishop of Montreal's Journal,*
p- 169.) This puff of his lordship is soon exploded ; for
should he not admit Mr. Sutherland’s functions to have
been in strict accordance with the established form of
the Presbyterian Church, he will allow, perhaps, that
the Catholic Bishop of the North-West acted strictly
according to rule, and that he had laboured there for
years before any English missionary entered the colony.
We maintain, in short, that the pure Gospel was planted
in Red River by the first emigrants; that they were
next followed by the Catholics, and last of all by the
Episcopal Church of England. At the same time we
are willing to give all men their due. With the force of
money and force of patronage, the Church Missionary
Society has certainly effected the most; and having
stated the facts, we shall gladly give it full credit for all
the good it has done, and impartially explain that good
as we proceed.

For twelve years after Mr. West came to the settle-
ment, no step beyond what we have mentioned was
taken to civilize the Indians. At the close of that
period, however, many of them had got so attached and
familiarized to the whites, in consequence of the inter-
course we have mentioned, that Mr. Cockran, one of the
Protestant missionaries at Red River, caught the happy

* Now the Bishop of Quebec.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 279

idea of turning this favourable disposition to account; and
from that day he laboured hard and zealously to collect
a few Indians together in order to induce them to throw
off their savage habits, and lead a settled life, with
a view to their moral and religious improvement. « It
adds still more to the merits of Mr. Cockran, that his
labours were purely gratuitous, occupying his own
private time, and added, like task work, to his other
ministerial duties. At this time, Mr. Cockran’s allotted
station was at what is called the Grand Rapids. He
had there gathered round him a considerable number of
Europeans and half-breeds, whom, in addition to his
purely professional ministrations, he was successfully
training to agriculture by his skill, energy, and liberality.
It was probably the result of these labours that encou-
raged him, as it was entirely the experience thus
acquired that strengthened him to induce the aborigines
to “trouble” the ground—not to become mere settlers,
for that at first would have been a hopeless task, but to
blend tillage and pasturage with the avocations of the
chase.

In the spring of 1832, Mr. Cockran had so far suc-
ceeded in his pious endeavours, that three families
yielded their consent, and were located as settlers at
the extreme lower end of the colony. This was the
first step of a permanent nature taken by the Church
Missionary Society either to civilize or evangelize the
heathen in this quarter. The undertaking was encou-
raged in every possible way by a respectable and intel-
ligent half-breed of the country, named Cook, who,
feeling much for his kinsmen, morally and religiously, °

whe

280 “ THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

did everything in his power to aid Mr. Cockran in
ameliorating their condition. It is but justice to Mr.
Cook’s memory to say that he was highly instrumental in
the accomplishment of whatever good has been done to the
Swampies. From this time forward others kept joining
the three families, till at last they formed a village and
became a distinct community, having also a church, a
school, and a missionary of their own. This result, we
repeat, was due to the instrumentality and benevolence
of Mr. Cockran, whose zeal and unwearied perseverance
in the work cannot be too highly eulogized. To this
village of new converts, as a portion of the settlement,
we invite the attention of the reader.

But to return. After much anxiety and labour in
forming, training, and evangelizing this interesting little
village, now called distinctively the Indian Settlement,
Mr. Cockran rejoiced to see the fruits of his labour in so
thriving and prosperous a state, and believed in his own
mind, as would any other man with the same limited
experience of Indian life, that his little community were
all, in truth and verity, real Christians. A mill was
built, houses erected, plots of land cleared; and, to
crown all, they had not a few domestic cattle among
them. It was like a picture that looked well at a
distance, but could not bear examination. Everything
had been done too hurriedly, and the converts were still
Indians in their wild state. Some with a resolution
would begin to build, but ere long, changing their
minds, their task would be left unaccomplished. Others,
completing their building enterprises, would abandon all
when finished, and take to the chase again. “ It is

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 281

easier,” one would say, “ to hunt than to dig.” “A bow
and arrow,” another would say, “ are lighter than a
spade.” They neither knew themselves nor their duties
in the new sphere of life to which they were called: they
had many queries-to put, and would often halt between
two opinions. This was to be expected. But, in the
midst of all these conflicting scenes, Mr. Cockran would
tell them, “You must not look back; you must look
forward and persevere;” perseverance was his one
peremptory word. Nor was Mr. Cockran’s liberality
less conspicuous than his care and anxiety. He not
only assisted them with money to build, but his own
hands were the first to set the example; he assisted
them with cattle also, and often fed and clothed them to
hurry and encourage their tardy operations.

This excellent minister was not only a pulpit man; but
the plough, the spade, and the hoe, were all familiar to
him; few men could be more persevering, more zealous,
or more indefatigable. While he kept everyone busy,

himself was the busiest of all. One moment called here,
another there, handle an axe for one, a hoe for another.
Show this one how to dig up a root, another which hand
to put foremost; cut a sapling for one, lay a log for
another, and a thousand things we cannot name. The
next moment, perhaps, spades, hoes, axes, were all
thrown aside, and everyone would be seen with his
book in his hand; too soon the hour would be up, and
twelve long miles to ride in a given time, urged his
departure. But, alas! for the results. His back was no
sooner turned than this multiplicity of operations were
all at a stand. The humble converts became wild

282 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Indians till he returned next day, or the day following ;
so that more was actually lost than gained by the system
pursued. Nor could Mr. Cockran derive much con-
solation from the appreciation of his toils. The
Swampies would grumble, and think they had made
a bad exchange to barter away their idle life for one of

. toil and hard labour; nay, they imagined that Mr.

Cockran was too worldly a man to be heavenly minded.
Hard labour in their eyes degraded him; for they
thought, with the Scriptures, that a minister ought to
live by the gospel. From such results it must be
evident that all this work and fuss cannot be consistent
with the duty of a clergyman, and that missions of this

- kind ought to be established by quite another class of

persons.
Civilization, however, ought certainly to precede
evangelization, as the writer proposes to show more at

_ length in asubsequent chapter on missionary proceedings.

Another rule for the conduct of missionary enterprise is
not less in importance, namely, that the missionary’s
hopes ought to centre in the young, not the old. The
labourer in this field is too apt to imagine that he is
dealing with a civilized population while he endeavours
to Christianize them, and with a Christian people while
he endeavours to civilize them; and this must always
be the case until the savage is located, and in a manner
trained or civilized, before the missionary interferes or
takes him under his care. It is no part of the mis-
sionary’s duty to be subjected, as Mr. Cockran was,
to manual labour, and all the drudgery and hardships
attending the first stage of such things. A practical

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 283

farmer would be far more eligible to such an office than
a clergyman; and the latter, when he enters on a
mission of this kind, has duties enough to attend to
regarding things spiritual, without dividing his attention
and distracting his mind at all hours of the day with
temporal matters. The more these points are considered,
the more surprising it will appear that Mr. Cockran’s
converts made such progress as they did, the record of
which must be admitted to form one of the brightest
pages in Red River history. He was sadly missed by
his little flock when he delivered over the mission to
the Rev. Mr. Smithurst, a brother missionary, in 1839.
Nor can we add, that the period of ten years which has
since efpsed has much improved the Indian converts’
condition, either temporally or spiritually.

Here a short description of their character and
social condition, after a settled life of twenty years
with the advantages of religious instruction, may not
be uninteresting. Before they came into the colony,
and while attached to the Company’s posts, the
Swampies were universally allowed to be a docile and
teachable class of people, and for some time afterwards
they were looked upon as obliging in their manner, and
honest in their dealings. So much were the settlérs
prepossessed in their favour, that in those early days
every farmer wes anxious to have a Swampy about his
house: their sole study, as it appeared, was to\make
themselves useful to their employers; and it was
naturally supposed that a people so easily led would
have rapidly improved under instruction. But time
developed their true character. When they had become,

284 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

as it were, naturalized, and got accustomed to our
people and their ways—especially when they were taken
by the hand, baptized, confirmed, and told they were
Christians—they quietly threw off the cloak of hypo-
crisy, began at once to compare themselves with the
whites, and to have a great itching for dress and finery.
The blue coat, ‘frilled shirt, scarlet belt, and attendance
at church, were no sooner adopted than they becamer
saucy, tricky, and dishonest; and in place of their
former docility, they now showed themselves as proud
and selfish as they were ignorant and superstitious.
There was withal a dulness of comprehension, a positive
stubbornness and contumacy of disposition in their
character, which resisted the kindest treatment, and left
but little hope of either moral or religious improvement
during the present generation. Perhaps, if no other
cause could be assigned for such a change, their being
dragged through so many new phases in so short a time
might well suffice to turn the head and distract the
heart of the simple savage. Vice is soon learned. To
crown all, they soon became notorious beer-drinkers.
‘This lamentable fact is alluded to by Mr. Simpson
in his Journal of the Arctic Expedition (page 16).
“ Nothing,” says that interesting writer, “ can overcome
their insatiable desire for intoxicating liquors; and they
too often contrive to gratify that debasing inclination, to
which’ they are ready to sacrifice everything they pos-
sess ; and while they lose the hanghty independence of
savage, life, they acquire at once all the bad qualities of
the white man, but are slow, indeed, in imitating his
industry and virtues.” We must here observe, however,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 285

that of late years the Swampies are a little improved in
this respect, while they have shown the old disposition
for backsliding in another. If they have become less
notorious for their drinking propensities, in short, they
are now proportionately expert in cheating right and left
most persons with whom they have any dealings. “ As
great a cheat as a Swampy” is now a byword in the
' colony.

It would be unfair, perhaps, to decide upon the
average morality of a people from their criminal
statistics ;° yet we may here mention a fact of some
importance. During the last twenty years, there have
been six cases of murder committed by Indians brought
up in the colony, and five out of the six were by
persons taught in our schools. It is sad to believe, that
the preponderance of crime is to be found on the side of
civilization; and especially as the Indians we refer to
are of both creeds Catholic and Protestant. The fact
may pass for what it is worth; and with the other points
we have mentioned, may serve to correct the statements
of travellers who had little time to study their character.

From the efforts of Mr. Cockran and the Protestants
at the lower end of the settlement, we proceed to detail,
briefly, the proceedings of the Catholics at the upper.
The first Roman Catholic mission was founded about
thirty miles up the Assiniboine, at a place named Saint
Paul’s, under the auspices of his Lordship the Roman
Catholic Bishop of Juliopolis, now North-West. At
the head of this infant mission was placed the Rev. Mr.
Belcourt, a Roman Catholic priest from Canada—a man
of active” habits, intelligence, and enterprise; and to

986 - THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

these qualities-he had also the advantage of under-
standing and conversing with the natives, without the
aid of an interpreter; which was a very important
point in his favour. ~Paradoxical as the statement may
aypear, Mr. Belcourt understood the language of the
savages better than the savages understood it themselves.
With characteristic ingenuity and perseverance, he so
far availed himself of the peculiar character of the
Chippeway tongue, as to enrich it with compounds,
which faithfully and vividly expressed, as far as
possible, the. foreign ideas of civilization and Christi-
anity. In this respect, Mr. Belcourt had an incalculable
advantage over his Protestant rivals, who, generally
speaking, rely implicitly on native interpreters of very
inadequate qualifications. For the benefit of this
mission, Sir George Simpson,. acting with his usual
liberality, on behalf of the Hudson’s Bay Company,
made a grant of a very valuable tract of land on the
Assiniboine River, fully five miles in length.

Here, then, Mr. Belcourt collected a sufficient number
of Indians, chiefly Saulteaux, to found a village, erected
houses, and built a church. In all this work he was
himself the chief labourer, being assisted only by his
hearers, whose help was small indeed. The Catholics
here, we may remark, have no funds, at least their
means are very slender. As proof of this, the Bishop’s
own cathedral in the colony has been for the last
seventeen years left in a half finished/condition, although
the venerable prelate has made two trips to Europe, and
one to;Canada, for the purpose of collecting funds to
complete it. °

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 287

To return to Saint Paul’s. Mr. Belcourt, with other
priests to assist him, from ‘time to time, laboured here
for a number of years very zealously so far as the use
of books went; but this was all. It is no wonder,
therefore, that he laboured without results. Religion
alone had no attractions in it for hungry savages.
Rather than cling to it as a good, they turned from it
as anevil. Had there been one or two good practical
farmers attached to the mission, they would have done
more real good in keeping the Indians together, and
forwarding the work, than all the piety and books in
the country could effect by themselves. When the
Indians had anything to eat, they heard mass, sent their
children to school, and attended church; but the moment
a new supply of food was required, they dispersed in
all directions, according to their usual habits, leaving Mr.
Belcourt to read and pray alone, and months frequently
elapsed before they could again be reassembled. In
this way, we should not exaggerate to say, whole tribes
are baptized and forced through the church forms, as it
were at the gallop, and then given to the world as good
Christians, although still running through the wilderness
like beasts of prey. Mr. Belcourt must know better
than we, whether or not this was the course pursued at
Saint Paul’s. After fifteen years’ experience, therefore,
the mission was broken up, the church demolished, and
the houses abandoned. The Indians, thrown back
again upon their native woods and plains, were as wild
and ignorant as ever—indeed, worse than ever in a
religious point of view; for, as the apostle says, “ It
had been better for them not to have known the way of

i rN

288 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn
like the dog to his own vomit again, and the sow that
was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

The next Catholic mission, established shortly after
that of Saint Paul’s, was on the river Winipeg, some
200 miles south-east of Red River, at a place called
“ Wabassimong.” This mission was on the line of
communication leading to Montreal, and had just began
to take root, when the Wesleyans from Canada, under
Mr. Evans, reached Lac la Pluie. Now, although this
place is a long distance from the site of the Wabassimong
mission—yet the Catholics claimed it as a part of their
mission, on the ground that they had already been
frequently there among the natives, for the purpose of
converting them—and we certainly think, as they were
the first, they had the best right; but, notwithstanding -
all this, at Lac la Pluie the Wesleyans commenced their
mission in opposition to the Catholics, and here the work
of strife began between them, as if the country had not
been wide enough for both, without interfering with
each other. Here, then, a system of proselytism was
carried on by the rival parties, the labourers in the
Lord’s vineyard, trying who could draw most converts -;
to his own way of thinking, by traducing the creed.
of his opponent. The opposition between the rival
fur-traders of former days was not more virulent.
Notwithstanding, a considerable establishment was
formed at Wabassimong by the Catholics; a church
was built, houses also, as at Saint Paul’s, and cattle were
sent ‘thither from the settlement. For ten years the
priests persevered in their efforts; children were cate-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 289

chised, baptisms administered, and several attempts
_made to form a school; but without success. The

a : fadians at length absolutely refused instruction, and

: abandoned the mission. Everything was then demolished
or cast away; and the melancholy recollection of their
disappointment is all that remains of the French ’
mission.

The success of the Wesleyans at Lac la Pluie was
not greater than that of their rivals. Mr. Jacobs, one
of the last Wesleyan missionaries stationed there, was
one day conversing with the writer on the subject.
“We have,” said he, “been labouring there for the last
eleven years, according to the usual system, without
being able to form a school, or make a single convert.”
Such were the laurels they gained by their interference .
and opposition. “To give “the Wesleyan mission its due,
however, few such instances as we have mentioned
occur, In its own sphere, it is persevering, indefatigable,
and generally successful in. its operations. The members
of that body ryquire no false colouring to screen their
doings; yet wé find writers of high standing sending
forth statements to deceive and mislead public opinion.
It is stated that the Wesleyan Mission of North-
West America consists of eight stations ; one of which
is said to be at Ross Ville, one at Norway House, one ~
“at Lake Winipeg, Moose Factory, one at Lac la Pluie,
and one at Fort Alexander, and Edmonton and Rocky
Mountains.* Now what is the fact? The one at Lac
1a Pluie we have already noticed; and with the exception

_ of the one at Ross Ville, at Edmonton, and Moose—the
* R. My Martin, page 136.

290° THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: .

latter two have been abandoned—we know of no other
that is, or ever was, at the places mentioned. However
well meant, the harm such statements do is incalculable.
A third Catholic Mission was -set on foot about 150
miles west of the colony, at a place named “ Baie des
Ganards,” on the Manetobah Lake. Its commencement
dates°a year or two after the Wabassimong Station,
already noticed. A: good deal of the country in that
direction had previously been visited by the Catholic
party, and the glad tidings of the Gospel announced to
the natives, who occasionally began to assemble at the
station finally selected for the mission. At length, a
church, parsonage, and school were built, and hopes were
’ entertained that.a flourishing establishment would be
called into existence. Unhappily, here, as at Lac la Pluie,
the mission had scarcely been formed before its progress
was intérrupted by a missionary of another creed, in
the person of the Rey. Mr. Cowley,. of the Church Mis-
" sionary Society, who had entered the field. The Catholics
now began to feel that they were doomed to be the
pioneers of the Protestants in every direction ; but, loth
to lose what they had gained, it was several years before
they abandoned the contest in favour of their opponents, -.
who were doing less good, if possible, than themselves.
We have remarked that the Catholics in this quarter
are poor; and, perhaps, if it were not so, their prolonged
efforts would have tended still more to demoralize the
. Indians. This, their poverty, however, must be admitted
to redound much to their honour. Where a new
mission is contemplated and the missionary: named, the
bishop allows him 101. to fit himself out, then adds his

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 291

benediction, and the thing is settled; the missionary,
with his crosier in his hand, and his cross on his breast,
sets out, like the apostles of old, without money in
his purse or scrip for his journey. The mission at
Wabassimong was not a fortunate one in any way; but
the one at Baie des Canards proved still more unfortu-
nate, for the first priest stationed there, a Mr. Derveau,
met with his death in rather 4 mysterious manner, by
drowning, and the last was threatened by the Indians,
and had to make a precipitate retreat. The place was
then abandoned by the Catholic party, as we have
stated, and the fruits of nine -years’ labour were no
better than dust and ashes. °
The mission of Mr. Cowley, formed in opposition to
the Catholics, was established at « Partridge Crop,”
situated, like that of the Catholics, on Manetobah
Lake. Accustomed to opposition in trade, the Indians
went to him who treated them best; and, as we have
said before, the last creed with them is always the
best. The Protestant mission had also funds at its
command, with the aid of which Mr. Cowley could feed
and clothe his converts, while the poor priest had nothing
to offer them but instruction. This made all the
difference in the eyes of the savages, who went from the
. one to the other till they had got for nothing all they
‘could get in‘the way of temporal things, and then gave
their’ reasons for abandoning both, as regarded spiritual
‘things. a
| "Their reasons,’ indeed, are too, good to omit. A
‘sagacious and wary chief,’ speaking on the subject of
religious instruction, thus, explained~ himself to Mr-

292 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT: °

Derveau, the Catholi¢ priest:—‘ You tell us,” said

he, “there is but one religion that can save us, and that

you have got it; Mr. Cowley tells us that he has got it:

now which of you white men am I to believe?” After

,a long pause, smoking his pipe, and talking with his

people, he turned round and said, “I will tell you the

resolution I.and my people have come to; it is this—

when you both agree, and travel the same road, we will

travel with you; till then, however, we will adhere to

our own religion; we think it the best.” Here the

matter ended ; and as, from that day forward, the people

would hardly join either communion, the chief was

probably in earnest.

The Catholics, feeling sore for the loss of Manetobah,

> determined, by way of wreaking their wrongs on their

opponents, to oppose the Protestants in another quarter,

and take advantage of a blunder they had committed.

Had the Protestant Church, in place of sending Mr.

Cowley to wrangle with the Catholics at Manetobah, sent
him direct to the Saskatchewan, where they had a

a native catechist, they would, in all likelihood, have

secured to themselves that important stafion. This

field, by a mistaken policy, was lef open to their

opponents; and Mr. Cowley had no’sooner troubled their

‘proceedings at Baie des Canatds than the Catholics sent

off two active missionaries to the Saskatchewan, where

they\have now been located the last seven years. Here

they are Said to be very successful, and to dislodge

them from that quarter will cost the Protestants a pound

for every shilling it took to drive them from Manetobah.

On the other hand, Mr. Cowley’s mission at Partridge

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 293

Crop is certainly a failure, as the attendance of a few
poor children at school, induced by the occasional offer
of food and clothing, can afford little ground for hope of
permanent success.

To clear our statements of any obscurity, we here Zs
insert a view of the foregoing missions in chronological
order :— ,

1. Indian settlement commenced ...........scce006 in 1832
2. Saint Paul's mission commenced .........-...06 in 1833
” ” abandoned ..........000-s in 1848
3. Wabassimong mission commenced..........++++. in 1838 +
” ” abandoned .............06 in 1847
4. Lac La Pluie mission commenced............++ in 1840
» » abandoned .........0-. in 1850
5. Baie des Canards mission commenced ......... in 1841
” ” abandoned ,........ in 1850
6. Partridge Crop mission commenced ............ in 1842

We have now briefly stated all that has been done-for ~
the Indians, first and last,-in this quarter ; not only in
Red River, but within 200 mi miles of it on all sides.
Missionaries have been here now for a period of more
than thirty years, and during that time we have had, of
Catholics and Protestants, no Jess than twenty-seven
labourers at different times stationed among us, at an
expense little short of 50,0002 sterling. Nay, more,
the Company have thrown open one of the finest
countries on the face of the earth for missionary
labours; sacrificed their trade for the sake of the Gospel;
and. offered, in every possible way, every facility that
either wealth or power could give, in order to facilitate
inter-communication with the natives, and assist the
pious missionary to come and go when and where he

294 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

pleases for carrying on the great and benevolent work
of salvation. Well may we here repeat, that the system
pursued. by missionaries for civilizing and evangelizing
the heathen is defective, and that the results produced
neither correspond to the meanssemployed, nor to what
might be accomplished on an improved system.

Of ull the Indian tribes that hover about this settlement,
Sioux, Saulteaux, Assiniboines, Crees, and Swampies,
amounting to many thousands, each tribe branching out _
into numerous detached bands, and still more numerous
detached families, how many individuals, we would
ask, have been emancipated from the iron yoke of
barbarism during the last thirty years? To find even one
we must go back to the little “ Swampy” village at the
Indian settlement; and there how many shall we find?
Should we plead as hard as did Abraham for Sodom
and Gomorrah, we shall not find ten! Nevertheless, we
find one of the missionaries of New Zealand addressing
his hearers in these terms :—“ Let us, my friends,” said
he, “ follow the example of Red River ; let us imitate
the great and glorious success the missionaries there
have met with in converting the heathen.” And War-
burton, author of the Hochelaga, page 155, states the
case thus, “The many thousands of Indians scattered
over the vast regions of Hudson’s Bay afford a wide
field for the efforts of Christian men; and the Red River
settlement is a happy example of the invaluable advan-
tages, temporal and spiritual, afforded them by the
missionaries.” The Bishop of Montreal, impressed with
the immense good that has been done in the colony,
remarks in his Journal, page 167, “ That the day will

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 295

arrive when the example of the Red\ River settlement
. must be followed in other-portions of the.territory.”

In connection with this subject, we may here offer a
few remarks on the Church establishment in Red River,
in order to show the reader how comfortable people can
be in a colony planted in the snowy regions of Hudson’s
Bay; and how much better provided with churches, and
with ministers too, than most other countries more
favoured by nature, and in the full sunshine of
civilization. | -; ;

In the colony, then, there are six churches, three built
of stone and lime, and three of wood and lime, all by
private subscription, at a cost of about 6,5001. sterling.
Besides these, there are three meeting-houses, making
in all nine places of public worship, which, in the aggre~
gate, hold 5,500 persons. Other two churches are being
provided for, and will probably be in existence before
these pages meet the reader’s eye. Now, according to
the census of 1849, the population of the colony
amounted only to 5,391; of which number there are,
non-residents, 1,511,* leaving permanently in the colony
a population of only 3,880 souls of all grades. One-
half of the number, say 1,940, may be supposed to
attend church regularly every Sunday, which would ..
give to each of the places of public worship, Catholic and
Protestant, a congregation of 215, or to each clergyman
161 persons. The spiritual staff provided for this snug

’ * Of this number, 636, according to the Minnesota Register of
August 11th, 1849, crossed the line and became American sub-
jects; and the remaining 875 regularly pass the summer in the
plains, and the winter among the Indians and the buffalo.

296 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

little flock consists of one English bishop and five
Church of England missionaries, who are equally
balanced by one Catholic bishop and five French priests.
At the same time, the Presbyterian party, although a
large body, and the first settlers in the colony, are still
without either church or minister of their-own, notwith-
standing their repeated calls for justice in this respect.

, We have seen the time when people were fully satis-
‘fied with two or three clergymen in the settlement, and
that when the population were little less than what
they are at present; and we are still of opinion that
were there any great anxiety manifested to convert the
heathen, Red River could very comfortably and con-
veniently spare eight out of the twelve missionaries, and
leave enough behind to satisfy the people. No settler in
the colony can doubt, nor ought it,to startle the ears of
others to be told, that four active and well-paid clergy-
men are amply sufficient for all Gospel purposes in Red
River; that is, two Protestants and two Catholics. We
are not questioning the inexpediency of the missionary
proceedings generally by these observations; our object is
simply to repeat the fact we have stated in support of our
argument: that were there any great anxiety to convert
the heathen, the number we have stated could very well
be spared for the work. This phalanx of officiating
clergymen, in a little isolated nook like Red River,
would imply a vast and rapid increase in our population,
when the reverse is the fact; for during the last ten
years the population has not increased 400; and from
1843, census 5,143, to 1849, census 5,391, inclusive, 4
period of seven years, our population has only increased

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 297

248. This is, however, accounted for by parties emi-
grating to the United States.

The Catholics out-number the Protestants, and are
scattered over a much wider surface; yet they are
satisfied with one cathedral and a parish church, whilst
the Protestants within the settlement have five per-
manent stations: one at the Indian settlement, one at
the Rapids, the middle church, Upper Stone church,
and the Assiniboine. Well, then, might the stranger
who visits the colony exclaim, in the language of sar-
prise, “ Red River for missionaries and churches!” But
what must be his astonishment when he sees the heathen
by hundreds wandering about within the sound of the
church-going bell, and living and dying in the settle-
ment without religious instruction. In this state of
things, is the object of the Church Missionary Society
forwarded and sustained as it should be? or is the
Company rewarded, not merely for the liberal encou--
ragement and support they give to the missionaries,
but for the loss of their trade? It is denied by
many, nor do we pledge ourselves to the fact, that
the Company ever contemplated such a sacrifice for
the sake of the Gospel; but this we know} and so
may others who are in the least conversant with the
nature of their trade know, that the introduction of
Christianity to Rupert’s Land was destructive of its
very sinews. Granting that this fact was known to them,
and that they were at all inimical to the progress of the
Gospel through their territories, they might, as lords of
the soil, have resisted its introduction with at least as

good a grace as the lords of Scotland resisted and
05

298 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

opposed the spread of the Free Church through their
territories, by refusing sites after the disruption. Let
those who deny that the Company are favourable to the
spread of Gospel light, or that they have not in a more
or less degree sacrificed their trade to it, answer this
argument. So far, however, from being able to deny
the facts we have stated, they must frankly acknow-
ledge that the Company received with open arms all
religious denominations, Jew and Gentile, that have
come into their territories with the intention of instruct-
ing and converting the heathen. Indeed, had the long-
neglected Presbyterian party in Red River, like other
sects, made a pretence of introducing a minister to con-
vert the heathen, they would not now, in all likelihood,
have been without a church and a minister of their own.
If the Indians have not benefited by the introduction of
Christianity into Rupert’s Land, the fault cannot justly
be said to rest with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

What effect, we might here ask, has the presence of
so many more missionaries of the same éreed, so many
more places of worship, had‘on the inass of the popula-
tion? Has it improved the religious feelings of the
people, or the tone of society generally? or have the ties
of affection between members of the same family been
strengthened by it? Surely not. From two or three
congregations on the Lord’s-day, they are now multi-
plied to eight or nine. One member of a family runs
above, another saddles his horse and gallops below; one
here, one there. Every house is divided into factions;
novelty is so attractive, that the Sabbath-day is spent in
riding about from church to church to see and be seen,

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE, 299

and the evening passed in discussing the merits of the
preachers and the dresses of the hearers, Contrast with
this the former practice, when, after divine worship,
each family, young and old, invariably passed the —
evening of the Lord’s-day at home in the exercise of
religious duties, or attending in some measure to their
domestic affairs. Few, we think, will venture to say
that the change which has taken place is for the
better. .
Let us say in conclusion, therefore, it had been far
better in all respects if the missionaries, who do, in fact,
profess to come out for the heathen, had at once ranged
themselves on the side of the poor and degraded natives.
This conviction is the sole cause of our earnestness in
taking up the subject, seeing it is one in which every
friend to humanity, every Christian, must feel a deep
and lively interest. If we have one wish at heart above
every other, it is that the Gospel light, which we so
liberally enjoy, may be more widely diffused, so as to
~ dispel that thick and heavy cloud of darkness among
those by whom we are surrounded. At the same time,
remembering the facts we have stated, and the causes
we have pointed out which present so many impedi-
ments to the success of the missionary, we would
earnestly appeal against any measures tending to plunge
the native Indians into temporal distress, unless the
signs of spiritual benefit were unmistakeable and posi-
tive. To be gathered about the missions, without first
providing for their subsistence in the new mode of life
to which they are entitled, can have nothing but évil
results. If the missions fail, as the greater number of

300 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT?

them have hitherto done, the poor Indians are ruined:
their hunting habits destroyed, and other cravings
excited, nothing but wretchedness and poverty thence-
forth await them. In the next chapter, however, we
shall develope our views on this subject somewhat more
in detail.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 301

CHAPTER XX.

Coxrents.—New missionary system—Introductory. remarks—
The text—Neglect of the heathen in Red River—The general
principle—Three-important conditions—Missionary difficulties
—The first stage of progress—Staff of labourers—Governor
Kempt’s observations —The boon — The converts located —
Second stage—Total of expenses--Comparison with the present
cost—-The missionary qualified —The success of the trader
compared—Missionary station in the United States—Rev. Mr.
Hunter—-The Saskatchewan mission— Rivalry of sects—
Coteric of Protestant missionaries in Red River — Crusade
against idols—Church privileges—The Bishop of Rupert’s Land
—Sir George Murray’s hints—Concluding remarks.

Havine in the preceding chapter pointed out some of
the errors and defects in the missionary plan for
civilizing and evangelizing the Indians, and its almost
universal failure, we proceed now to offer some prac-
tical suggestions, the adoption of which would greatly
improve, as we think, the existing system, and facilitate
the work of salvation. Without presuming that the
_ Plans we propose are suitable, without change, for
universal application, we have long been satisfied
that the course proper to be pursued among heathen
tribes generally, may with some obvious alterations be

,
Ww

302 {THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

applicable here, due attention being paid to the natural
“state of tht people to be evangelized.

The first point to which we would more particularly
call attention is the union of temporal and spiritual
matters, which, as wé have shown by examples suf-
ficiently marked, ought not to be under the management
of the same individual. This reform makes the ‘pre-
paratory part of otr plan, which places the heathen,
while he learns the first stép of civilization, entirely
under secular guidance; except; perhaps, occasional
visits from the clergy. In this way the first moral
restraints would be imposed on the savage, who would
learn the value of order and subordination without
alarm to his prejudices. It is the method which reason
dictates, and experience enforces; but it is the one
which, above, all others, will excite the spirit of oppo-
sition, and we well know what arguments will be used,
and the changes thatwill be rung upon them. Matt.
Exvili. 19, 20.

In fact, the writer has vainly urged the consideration
‘of this plan, both on Protestant and Catholic clergymen,
who-all condemned it from the text cited above. “ We
must,” said they, “preach the Gospel to every creature.”
But how then does it come to pass, we might ask, as
we have asked them in conversation, that you clergymen
do not obey this positive command, and preach the
Gospel to every creature? You have been located on
the spot in question for the last thirty years; why not
have preached the Gospel during all that time to “ every
creature?” You have not, so far as the heathen is
concerned, preached to a tenth, a hundredth part of

ITs RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 303

those around you! You have established missions on
your own plans, as we have already noticed, and
what has been the result? At this hour, the Indians
are running as wild as ever in their native woods and
prairies, nay, even in the settlement, and around your

dwellings, and dying on every point, without the least .

regard to their lost state. Our assembling, locating, and

training them, as proposed, cannot entail more guilt on |

the dying, or deprive them in any greater degree of the
means of grace than your present system. If your
arguments are worth anything, how are you justifiéd in
waiting till we locate the Indians, according to the plans
you wish to dictate? Why not, in obedience to the
. divine command, go to their camps, their dwellings, and
“preach the Gospel to every creature” naw? ..Why
wait till anything is done, if it is not lawful to wait till
the right thing is done? So far from this, we may here
state the fact, that ftom 1823, when Mr. West left the
colony, up to 1842, when Mr. Cowley went to Partridge
Crop, a period of twenty years, no Protestant missionary

ever stepped out of Red, River to preach once to thes?

__heathen, or preach to one of-them, far less to “every
creature ;” indeed, with the exception ‘of the Swampy
Crees, in the village already noticed, no one has even

preached to those within the settlement. Some plan,

then, for benefiting the poor Indian is plainly necessary,
and we know there is much difficulty in proposing one,

especially as the very statement of these facts is caleu- ‘

lated to raise a strong feeling against ourselves in the
minds of those it would be our interest, as well‘ as our
sincere desire, to keep on our side—the very men, too,

we
é

304 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

whose opinion on the subject is best entithegsto. respect,
Nevertheless, our plan, under any circumstances, 1 must
eventually stand or fall by its own merits.

'~ How short, after all, is the time we propose\for
ascertaining the result of our scheme,’ considering th
great end in view; for what are the lapse of a few
years, or even a few generations, when compared to
eternity? We shall, indeed, have passed away before
much can be done; but we shall pass away with the
firm conviction, that those who come after us “ will
pluck the fruit of the tree we have planted.” Nor have
we anything really | to fear from opposition, which can
only lead to a More thorough investigation of the plan,
and the more itis itivestigated, the, more likely it
becomes that it will, in the end, be adopted. Te
everything, there is a season, and a times to every
‘purpose ‘under the heaven,” as the wise man:says 4
Keel. iii. 1, All we ask or expect, is an impartial c con-\\
sideration of the subject, by men who have had much
experience in Indian life, studied their language, their
habits and feelings, in their native wilds—where alone
the savage is seen in his true character and not when ,
under restraint among civilized men. It is but an essay,
in the absence of anything better, ‘that we propose.

. The apostle says, “To the weak beéame I as/weak,
that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all
men, that I might by all means save some.”* Now if.

we can, as the apostle say’, save some, our labour will
not bé lost..
_ After accomplishing the preparatory step, on the

* 1 Cor. ix. 22. ON

' ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 305

principle we have laid down, that the Indian must
first be civilized before he is evangelized, “the door
would be opened for commencing spiritual instruction.
“When a door is said to be opened, the meaning here~
is, that every obstruction or barrier is removed in the
providence of God for going forward in the way of
the moral and religious improvement of the heathen ;”
or in other words, after they. are civilized, for. that
must be the first step. This course would be agreeable

tothe laws of our nature, the laws of civil and religious
libe

before

: for they ought to know something of the one,
ey can enter upon the other. Forthe success
of our plan, however, three things must be kept in view.
First. TheIndians must be located some distance from

the whites—fift\ miles or more; not, however, in villages,

, as has hitherto béen the case, but in country. lots by
themselves, in some
might be conveniently kot. Our reasons for this are,
1. Their being settled am
them to too many baneful temptations,-which would

rtile place where wood and water
g the whites would expose

| operate against temperance, industxy, and independence.
\ 2 . Thr. Igitig™ huddled together \
_paitake too much. of their original ca

. fosters a cofttintianice of savage life whicl\gvould be
injurious” to “the progress of civilization. 3. The

villages would
» habits, and

Indians in this quarter are too far “removed. by every-
thing that can disqualify them from amalgamation with”
the whites by intermarriages, that they could never
rise to an equality and independence among them; but,
on the contrary, live in a state of slavery and degrada-
tion, as they now._do. In a separate community,

306 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

« . . Oe
however, they might still retain something of their
hative spirit and independence— that gift by which
God in his, wise providence might mitigate the extreme °

penalty of barbarism. ;

Secondly. The establishment should be as nearly as
possible in the centre of one tribe, and exclusively
among the same people. 1. Because if it is on the

. frontier,.or as it were between two nations, it will be
subject to annoyance from both, without the support or
protection of either. 2. There are many petty tribes
. In this quarter; but they are all more’or less hostile to
each other, except against a common enemy. Rivalry
and jealousy between tlm would ever be at work, and
the object of the mission ought to be unity and peace.
This is an important point, and ought not to be lost
sight of; for the collisions that would be unavoidable
between the opposite tribes would alone be sufficient to
frustrate the best devised plan for improving the heathen.

Thirdly. The place selected for their location should
be as destitute of all wild animals as possible; the more
ruined, the more easily will the natives be induced to
relinquish the chase, and cling to habits of industry for
subsistence. But a good fishery would be an additional
recommendation to any place—in fact, absolutely
necessary, as a failure in the crops, without some other
stand-by, might ruin all; and, besides, a fishery is a
stationary thing, and would rather encourage than
discourage settled habits. To become Christians, the
natives would: have td forego their roving propensities
and the chase, but not the fisheries; nor do we mean
that the habit of hunting should all at once be abruptly

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 307

cut off—that would be attempting an impossibility. Till
the earth yielded her abundant increase, thé bow and
arrow would have to supply the table, and supply
the Indian with his blanket also. It will be for the
Government to grant lands for missionary purposes ;
and if so, Government ought to protect the first creed
agaihst all unholy interference of a second, as religious
opposition demoralizes the heathen. Of all other
obstacles, all other evils, that of opposite creeds
warring against each other, in the Indian camp, is the
worst—the. most fatal to the Indian, and to pure
religion. 8

: We might observe as we proceed, that this country
is perhaps an exception to most other parts of the earth,
and the course pursued by missionaries must be, in some
measure, exceptional also. Our savages have almost
thrown aside thé gregarious nature of man, and show as
much aversion from inclination, as other barbarous races
have from necessity, to a stationary mode of life. With-
out industry and without subordination, they neither are
willing, nor can they be compelled, to undergo steady
toil, Reared with a taste for slaughter, they look with
more of a butcher’s than a herdsman’s eye' on any
cattle they may have—a propensity, by the by, not
disproved by the possession of ‘a few animals, for an ox
or two to draw fuel cannot be dispensed with, if a fixed
house is to be rendered equal in point of convenience
to a movable tent. Lastly, having long been in com-
munication with traders, they have come to connect
knowledge of all kinds with a good bargain. Education
they regard in no higher light than as a means yy

308 THE .RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

living by their wits; and they can hardly divert them-
selves of the suspicion, that the very missionaries,
more particularly when pitted under hostile banners
against each other, have some mysterious interest of
their own in the red man’s conversion.

With these introductory remarks before us, we shall
proceed to a sltort digest of our plan, which may be
most conveniently considered under two general heads,
or a first and a second stage of procedure, each divided
into periods of five years.

The preparatory or first stage would occupy a period
of ten years or more, for assembling, locating, and
training the Indians under secular management. ‘To
accomplish these important ends, we require, at the
very opening of the mission, the following staff of
labourers, and other essentials, which may be considered
sufficient for the first five years; our estimate is founded
on the prices of Red River taken as a standard.

2 farmers, at 302. each per annum for five years ......... £300
1 labourer, at 151. ......c.cc cee eeeee Neg eececetecnscnsseoereneesess 75
2 lads, at at CACH.o ee eeeeeeeseeeee 1 entassesssssessusesaseees 100 |
1 interpre er, AL QOL. occ ecschscegeeecee cess eeeeeneeeeceseeeeere 100
6 oxen, at 62. each 1.0... 20 tyevneseseennesaonnes fea ceceeeeee 36
2 ploughs, at BL. cach ...... ee leeeeeccee eects cee eeeceesaaeaeeeees 12
Outfit for gencral purposes ............. pecabmeghbecerteeesees 100
Bae a __
’ Expenses of first five years... .seceee £723

The first thing necessary is to set the ploughs at
work, in order to benefit the Indians materially, by
supplying them with food as early as possible. This is
the mainspring of the whole machinery, the grand
point of attraction, not only in order to keep the

’ ¢

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 309

Indians together, which would be an important step
gained in advance, but for introducing with effect the
habits of order and industry among them.”

Supposing the mission thus far successful, we may
presume the Indians would increase in number, which
would be attended with increased expense. Accordingly,
our estimate for the next period of five years would be
as follows :—

The above items continued ........csscccecsssesecseeecesceeee £723
1 conductor, at 502. per annum for five years ........... 250
1 additional farmer, at B00. .........-ccceccsseceeccsecaeceneees 150
6 additional oxen, at Gl. each 10.2.0... ..cccsssecsseeceeeeneess 36
1 blacksmith, at 3010..........cccececceceecesecese neers eseseeees 150
L carpenter, at 250. oo... ceecesseesessceeseeuesenerecoeesneees 125
1 catechist, at 200. ........cccecesecereen sescteeeneeeeseneaeees 100

£1,534

This sum of 1,5341. for the second period of five
years, added to 723. for the first five, gives a total of
2,2571. for the first stage of our process, occupying ten
years in its accomplishment. :

With reference to the Indians changing their habits
of life and settling on lands, and the mode of locating
them, Sir James Kempt, formerly Governor of Canada,
observes :— The locating of the Indians in country
lots, would be found much more advantageous in
producing habits of temperance and industry, than by
assembling them in villages;” and then he goes on to
say :-—“ Without the assistance of the Government,
indeed, it is impossible to produce any extensive or
effectual results on the Indian character and modes of
life.” This is exactly the view that we take of the

minX

310 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

subject; and though we are aware that no extensive
plan for ameliorating the condition of the Indians can
be entered upon without the aid of Government, we
proceed to point out what can be done, in a small
way, with the view of improving the system hitherto
pursued: itis to this our task seems limited, for if we
wait for Government aid, we may wait a day too
long.

During the first stage, no great result should be
expected; but this ought not to discourage us. “The
change would be gradual, but it would be sure. Soon
would some families be inclined to throw off their .
roving propensities, follow the example of the whites,
and fall into civilized habits. Food and care would
have their due effect, and after these others would
follow. The difficulties would gradually diminish with
time. There would be more obstacles to overcome, and
prejudices to smooth down, with the first family or two,
than with a dozen after. Once the tide commencing
to flow, it would flow rapidly, and as soon as one
indicated a desire and willingness to settle, it would be
for us to help him on, encourage and assist him. We
should locate him on fifty acres of land, not wood but .
prairie, with a frontage of four chains; plough for him
the lands he had first cleared, to the extent of an acre
or more; and then give the means of ploughing himself,
two oxen, an axe, a hoe, a spade, and a small dwelling-
house. Give him also a deed for his lands; not merely
for certain conditions having been fulfilled, but for so
Jong as he remained on them, or transferred them to
some other Indian, and no longer. The right of the

~~ 3

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 311

property thus granted or given him, he should not be
able to sell, alienate, or dispose of, before the end of ten
years’ occupation, when it must virtually become his
own. During all this time the mechanics and labourers
would be fitting up houses for the reception of the
Indians, and in other respects contributing to their
comfort.

This would be carrying out our plan fully: it would
be the portion allowed to each converted family on
settling permanently—a boon granted for encouraging
civilization; and being the result of a regular system,
would be the means of riveting the Indians to the soil.
To those who might settle prior to the end of the first

period, this would’ be the allowance; but those settling ~ x i

subsequently would, in lieu of the two oxen, only get'one -

ox, and a cow, in order that they might have the means z
. > é

of rearing up stock for themselves.

Seeing now one or more regular settlers. éstalthed
as a land-mark in the wilderness, we, might, indeed, take
courage, and record a fair beginhing. As others
followed the example, they would, a8 a matter of course,
be furnished with houses and lands in a similar manner,
one alongside the other, so that there might be a
uniformity of proceeding. Unity gives strength. How
encouraging it would be to see the germ of civilization,
rooted and grounded™in hope, thus arise as it were by
magic, and raising new feelings in the native mind, to
humanize the barren desert. Nor would it at all be
over-stepping the bounds of probability to expect, that
within the short period of ten years, under civilized
guidance, we might see two hundred families, averaging

312 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

five each, or a thousand persons, comfortably established
together, as the nucleus of a great and permanent good,
round which thousands might in time be drawn to
swell the stream of civilization, and worship the only
living and true God, in spirit and in truth.

But we come now to our second stage of procedure,
which would probably occupy a period as long as the
first, and require a vigilant and active superintendence.
This is the time for imposing moral restraints, bringing
the Indians under social order, and for the introduction
of elementary schools, to fit and prepare them for the
next and most important step. During ‘the first five
years of this stage we would require, according to the
anticipated i increase of Tndians—

Tn addition to the sum already computed of ..........++ £2,257
1 more farmer, at 301. per annum, for five YOATB.-orsssse 150
1 “blacksmith, At BOL. cecesscsceenseeevene eee aseeteasarsaeeee 150
1 carpenter, at 252. .....cecceceeeneeeeeeees eccaseenssannesseess 125
12 draught oxen, at 62. cach ......... ce ecsseeeseereeeeeees 72
4 ploughs, at G2. each .........ccscscccsscsssecceseeeeceescenees 24
1 schoolmaster, at 251. ......ccececceecseassessscencecneeseee 125
1 catechist, at 200. ..0.......cccccecececccceeeee sesseussecseses 100

£3,003

This sum, with the 2,2571. of the first ten years, gives.
for the total amount of expenses at the end of fifteen
years, 5,2601. In the next five years, to complete the
second stage, the farmers, with the exception of one,
would be all withdrawn, as the Indians by this time
ought to bexfarmers themselves. The mission then,
prior to being left to its dwn resources, would

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 313

only require, as a winding up, the following staff of
labourers :—

1 intelligent superintendent, at 802. per annum, for five years £400

1 farmer, at 300. ......ccscsececsessscceaccercecectenseseevenscesssusense 150
1 blacksmith, at 300. ........0eceesee da venersasseesseseceeesceseseanens _ 150
L carpenter, at 251. .......csecscccceerescesessesscstscenseeescenesenee 125
L schoolmaster, at 501, ....ssseseseecsorsseeesreessscessesanereseenens 250
1 ditto at 252. ........- ‘overesseesccvasenecsececceetees pecans 125
1 catechist, at QOL. .......ccscceteccereceacceteenseeseneeeecneceeeeeneene 100
2 school-houses, at 200. cach ..........cecceecseerecesesseenseneceeane 40

~~ £1,340

The former total of 5 2601, added to- this 1 33402.,
gives a grand total of 6,600/. This, of course, is
exclusive of the property given td the Indians, namely,

the lands, houses, axes, hoes, spades, and cattle ; being, .

in short, neither more nor less than our estimate for an
establishment for feeding the Indians.

_ Even this scale of expenses would not be perpetuated
in case of neighbouring missions being entered upon.
Once the desire settling stimulated, a tithe of, the
present expenses would suffice to carry on the work.
Make the Indian thoroughly sensible, as our establish-
ment is calculated to do, that his food and comforts are
more certain from the soil than the chase, and he will
gradually fall into civilized habits of his own accord.
With the aid of civilization to conduct him, the system
only requires to be fully set going; it will then progress
and prosper of itself.

Now, at first sight, this appears to be a very large
sum, and perhaps very little good done-for it, for the

results of all new and ‘limited experinients are doubtful ;
P

314 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

but that very doubt ought to stimulate us to try, and try
again, to arriye at greater perfection. If it be asked,
Where is this sum to come from? we might answer the
question by putting another: Where did the thousands
and tens of thousands, spent in the missions already
described, come from? Or we might place the subject
in another point of view. According to the working
of the existing system, a missionary enters a new
field, depending on his books and zeal; but neither
books nor zeal will feed the Indian. Year after year
rolls on; but still the missionary and the Indian are as
far from each other as ever. Indeed, the labourer who
remains ignorant of the Indian’s language can never
labour profitably. The best interpreter is but a false
medium for conveying Gospel truth.

The missionary with an allowance of 2001. per annum,
and 1501. more for his establishment, makes out to live
indeed; but the poor destitute natives, if they would be
converted, must at once give up their wandering habits
of life, their hunting-grounds, their wives, their scalps,
their gods, everything that is dear to ‘them, and
assemble round the missionary to starve; for in this
arrangement no provision is made for them: they come
and go, and go and come; but still no change in their
condition. They are still the wild savages they were
before ; and during this coming and going, the missionary
is left resting for lack of hearers, according to the
variety of instances we have pointed out in the working
of the Red River missions.

Suppose, then, the missionary remains at the station
the time we have allowed for giving our experiment

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 315

‘a fair trial—say twenty years—his expenses alone,

according to our statement, would amount, not only
to 6,6001, but to 7,000. Now we might ask any
intelligent being this simple question: Which of the.
two systems is most likely to benefit the natives, and
forward the great work of conversion? 'The answer is
self evident. It is equally evident, that if we draw the
Indians from their field of chase to a missionary station,
and then neglect to provide food for them, we ruin

- them spiritually as well as temporally ; for we assume

it as proved that the mission is sure to fail, if the
helpless natives are not supported materially.

This brings us to the closing period—that of their
spiritual warfare; for the ultimate aim of all missions
is.to change the condition of the natural man. It has
always been matter of remark here, that Indian converts
have been too easily, if not hurriedly, admitted to
church privileges, We should be careful not to force
spiritual things upon them, nor allow them to receive
them unworthily; for, of themselves, they must have
but a withering conviction of what they staxd in need
of. ~This is the stage they are expected to know
something of civil liberty. They can plough, sow, and
read, and have a knowledge of temporal things. Knowing
this, they are next brought to know something of liberty
of conscience, or religious liberty, and their duty as
Christians. It is at this point that ‘the missionary steps
in as their spiritual guide; the last boon in time, the
first in end. As we have said before, the exact time of
this change, or their getting a church and minister,
would entirely depend on circumstances; if in a

316 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

sufficiently advanced state to warrant it, they might °
get their minister and church at the end of the first,
instead of waiting till the end of the second stage, or
at any intermediate “period. Up to this time, however,
the mission should be visited, as we have noticed, at
least once a year, by a regularly ordained clergyman.
As to the missionary himself, we would remark, that
no man, however learned, pious, and zealous he might
be, ought to be placed as spiritual pastor over a colony

of new converts, without a knowledge of their language—
and we may add, a knowledge of Indian life, acquired
“by at least some five or six years’ residence among
different tribes, to learn something of the Indian
character. Nothing would be more absurd than to
send a man direct from home to superintend such a
mission, with only his learning to recommend him, as is
too often the case, and has been the case here too. It
takes even the man of“business-a year or two after his
arrival to be conducted and instructed, step by step,
before he is fit to be a common Indian trader; how
much more, then, the missionary, the spiritual -guide?
We repeat the fact: any man with simply a knowledge
of books, and utterly destitute of experience in Indian
life, is, of all men, the most unfit to be entrusted with
the civilizing and evangelizing of Indians; but more
especially to be placed at the head of an Indian mission.
We have seen’ enough of this to convince us that such
appointments will result in failure, and do more harm
than good in such a cause.
In the stage we have now reached, nothing ought to
be forced or hurried on, if we would go honestly to

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 317

work; for nothing is more deceptive than the character

and demeanour of a savage in the presence of his

spiritual instructor. Indifference is mistaken for modesty,

cunning for diffidence, and the savage habit of hanging

down his head: and looking at the ground when spoken.
to on religious matters, is taken for reverence. In all

these appearances, however, there is nothing real. An

Indian never appears more pliable and devout than

when he is meditating your destruction. We are

imposed upon by comparing the habits of the savage

with our own. Two things are often wanting to

discriminate aright on these occasions—experience on

our part, and the want of time on theirs: no wonder
then, that men ignorant of the Indian character should

be deceived and led into error, by adopting hasty

conclusions. The missionary must keep a watchful eye

on all changes, aspects, and appearances; he must

confine his converts to a purely religious education, till

the truths of the Gospel have fairly taken root, and

a desire for instruction has beerWidely diffused.

The mission should be conducted, as all enterprises of
the kind ought to be, on the most economical plan, and
the means afloat for carrying on one mission might, with
but little additional expense, carry on two, if within two
or three hundred miles of each other; but this double
advantage would depend on a variety of circumstances,
unity of action, and a zeal only known to the traders ; for
no people in this country seem to get on so well among
Indians as the trader; no other class of men have t
depend so much upon them as the trader: his life, hi
fortune, his all, depends on the good or ill will he

. 318 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

creates among them; consequently, no one takes so
much pains to please, flatter, and conciliate them, as he
doés. In making these remarks, our object is simply
‘to draw attention to the fact that there is, indeed, a
way of pleasing and gaining over our heathen brethren
to our views, if taken in the proper way,\and - ‘that
secular guidance at the beginning is more likely to be
effectual than purely clerical superintendence. Every-
one in his own time, and in his own sphere.

To give an instance or two in point. While travelling
in the United States, the writer came to an Indian
mission of the description here proposed, only on a
somewhat smaller scale, conducted by a simple farmer,
on an allowance of only 200 dollars a year. In answer
to some queries I put, he answered, “I am the only
farmer, schoolmaster, and catechist, about the” place;
myself and my, family attend to the mission, but we
are visited by a clergyman generally twice a year.”
And yet I was delighted to see everything working like
clock-work, as things do when conducted aright. I said

to myself, the Americans are a wonderful people, a °

people going fast ahead.

Another example may be drawn-from a place nearer
home—that wide and interesting field for missionary
labours, known as the Saskatchewan. Here, for a
number of years, no other labourer was sent by the
Missionary Society but a native catechist, as farmer and

superintendent; yet he managed matters so well, as to-

have prepared some 300 for baptism, and about 50 of
the number for the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
This mission was likewise visited by a clergyman once

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 319

a year. Just what we have proposed for our, mission. ».
These s%e encouraging~instances. This last mission, —
however, might owecmiuch of its success to peculiar’.
advantages. The IndiangNive chiefly on fish, and are ~
stationary; and besides, they are the relations of the

- Swampy Cree village in Red River, but entirely

detached from the settlement. Their progress is far
ahead of their brethren living among the whites.
Mr. Budd, the zealous- catechist alluded to, has been
rewarded by being admitted to holy orders.
The Saskatchewan, or Cumberland mission, as it is
called, had been long neglected; but is now in rather a
thriving way. A few years ago, an excellent and
indefatigable man, the Rev. Mr. Hunter, was appointed
to that station, who, by his unwearied application, zeal,
and talent, has’ made himself master of the Indian
language, in order to preach in the native tongue—the
only instance of the kind we have~known among our
Protestant missionaries in this quarter. This, indeed,
is doing the work of a missionary in right good earnest.
Yet with all, this pleasing prospect before us, we
cannot shut our eyes to the fact, that like many other
places, the Saskatchewan is a disputed field ; so that
little real “good can be done. The Indians are distracted
by oppdiite creeds. The Upper Saskatchewan was
for some time under the Wesleyans—a very enterprising
body of men; but they having left that quarter,, it is
now wholly under the Roman Catholics. In the
neighbourhood of the Lower Saskitchewan also, near
Cumberland, in a very extensive district called Isle a

la Crosse, the Papists hold sovereign sway.

320 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Had there been a zeal commensurate to the means,
and that zeal exercised for the benefit of the Indians,
the Red River missions would have appeared in a very
different light from what they do. Mr. Cockran and
his Swampies form the only instance of labour and
zeal ever manifested in this quarter. Since his time,
the missionaries have been doubled, trebled in number,
and yet the more labourers the less work; verifying
the old proverb, that “too many cooks spoil the broth.”

But it is in a different aspect that the numerical
force of the Protestant clergy is peculiarly hurtful.
Being sufficient in number to form a party among
themselyes, they are now as independent of their
flocks on social grounds as they have always been on
most other grounds whatever. They are thus placed
altogether beyond the influence of public opinion. Nor
does this isolation affect merely the lighter matters of
social intercourse, for the incidental alienation of mind
thus produced, must be fatal, in a greater or a less
degree, to the weightier relations between pastor and
people. In the absence of any other Protestant creed
(a blessing which may thus be too dearly purchased),
these weightier relations are not strengthened by any
pressure from without; while the same numerical force
of the orthodox which occasions the evil, tends also to
perpetuate it, by the ever ready shield of mutual
example. It is an axiom, which no intelligent settler
can doubt, that one-third of our Protestant clergy
would do more good than the whéle phalanx combined.

But, to draw this chapter to a conclusion, there yet,
remain one or two important observations to make,

. > °
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 321

which we shall endeavour to comprise in a few brief
sentences. The zealous missionary often raises a hue
and cry against idols the moment he arrives among the
heathen, This is not ‘only premature, but absurd, and
one great cause why the work of conversion progresses
so slowly as it does. We should never busy ourselves
over anxiously at first about the Indian’s gods. If the
desire to cast them away does not spring up among
the Indians themselves, when they see us read, ms
and worship God as Christians, there is no regeneratio
begun in the heart; and till then, the more pains we
take to induce them to abandon their idolatrous customs,
the less success we shall meet with in the attempt. This
is a work of time, and time must be allowed; otherwise
we deceive ourselves, and deceive them also.

Another evil in the existing system, more than once
complained of already, has been to give spiritual things
too rapidly, before they are prepared for them; a thing
easily got is thought but little of. There is a time to
give, and a time to withhold from giving. Progress is
to be secured little by little, and especially by giving
at the right time those particular things that can be
received with thankfulness. Taking all this into con-
sideration, no intelligent person, experienced in Indian
life, will say that we have asked for too much time to
do the work as it ought to be done, nor proposed a
change of system without due reflection.

Before closing. our remarks on the present subject,
we might notice, and that with much pleasure, that the
missionary cause in'this quarter is likely to undergo a

thorough change for the better, by the appointment and
P5

| A

322 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

arrival of a bishop in Rupert’s Land. This high
functionary is a man of great diligence, energy, and
zeal. Pious and exemplary, he is most anxious to
promote the cause of the heathen, and to that end, is
acting upon views which we cannot for the present ©
fully appreciate. Being, however, a man of talent and
means, there can be no doubt but, under an improved
system, his pious efforts will be able to accomplish much
good.

This much on spiritual things; and as to temporal
matters, we may here quote, in support of our views,
a passage from Sir George Murray’s observations on
the converting of Indians, penned by him when
Secretary for the Colonies. “The white people,” says
Sir George, “ by their habits of cultivation, are spreading
everywhere over the country, like a flood of water;
and unless the Indians will conform themselves to those
habits of life, and will bring up their children to
occupy farms, and cultivate the ground in the same
manner with the white people, they will be gradually-—
swept away by this flood, and will be altogether lost;
but by occupying grants of land, and cultivating farms,
they will gradually increase their numbers and their
wealth, and retain their sitiation in a country in which
they are so well entitled to have a share.”

To conclude,.-Nothing but the postponement of
spiritual instruction till the heathen are in a great
measure independent of temporal aid, can ever enable
merely human eyes to form a correct view of the
religious state of aboriginal converts. When a/savage
is offered at once food and truth,—both ox neither,—he

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 323

is at least as ready as civilized men, whether laity or
clergy, have often been, to take the one for the sake of

the other; in fact, he is strongly tempted to consider

what he calls “ praying” as something that makes the pot
boil. Nor is the Christianity in such a ¢éase less pre-
judicial to the civilization than the civilization is to the
Christianity. Among those who know the Indian by
experience, there can be no question, that he would be
more likely to appreciate and embrace the sweets of a
stationary life, if he were sure of not being attacked,
before his own time, about his drum and his medicine,

his gods and his wives. Let me not be misunderstood.:

Though undoubtedly Christianity be the end, yet
civilization is nevertheless the best means,—not only
the best means of-introducing that_end, but still more

dearly the sole means of enabling it, when once intro-

duced,st perpetuate itself.

ap by f ee
if ee

h -

_ 324 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER XXI,

Contents.—Sioux and Saulteaux—Treaties—Indian correspond:
ence—Indian feelings—Two Indians shot — Result—Indian
hung—Effect— The favourable change—Fulling-mill—The
farce—Yankee fur-traders—The two foxes—Friendly inter-
course.

In a previous chapter we noticed the visits of the Sioux
~-— —~Jndians, and likewise settled” some difficulties between
y them and ‘the Saulteanx, our neighbours; we have now

to record their subsequent visits and difficulties with
our plain-hunters; for it is hardly necessary to state
that two such formidable bodies can seldom come in
collision with each other, witHout difficulties, and even
serious quarrels, sometimes ensuing. Every year, in
fact, treaties of peace are made between the half-
breeds and Indians, and every year they are as
regularly broken.

The usages of peace and war among savages are
often erroneously judged by the parallel customs of
civilized life, while the fact is, that hostile tribes, like
wild beasts of prey, are in the continual endeavour to
destroy each other. The writer has never yet known
an instance in which a treaty between savages held
good a day, or an hour, after an advantage was to be

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 325

yained by breaking it. For the last four years up to
1844, the half-breeds have suffered considerably: at
last, however, they were roused to retaliate, and that
retaliation gave rise to the following correspondence:—

No. 1.—Sroux to THE HALr-sReeps.
White Bear's Lodge, 14th November, 1844.
Frrenps,—We hang down our heads; our wives mourn, and
our children ery.
Friends,—The pipe of peace has not been in our council for the
last six days.
Friends,—We are now strangers. The whites are our enemies.
Friends,—The whites have often been in our power; but we
always conveyed them on their journey with glad hearts, and
something to eat.
— — —-Friends,—Our-young-men-have been killed.. They were good _
warriors : their friends cry.

Friends,—Our hearts are no longer glad. Our faces are not
painted.

Friends,—You owe the Sisitous four loaded carts, they were our
relations ; the half-breeds are white men: the whites always pay
well. ;

Friends—The four Yanktons did not belong to us: but they
are dead also.

Friends,—Tell us if we are to be friends or enemies? Is it to
be peace or war? Till now our hands have always been white, and
our hearts good.

Friends,—We are not frightened ; we are yet many and strong.
Our bows are good; but we love peace: we are fond of our
families.

Friends,—Our hearts were not glad when we left you last; our
shot pouches were light, our pipes cold; but yet we love peace.
Let your answer make our wives happy, and our children smile.

Friends,—Send Langé with your message, his ears are open ; he
is wise.

326 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Friends,—We smoke the pipe of peace, and send our hearts to
you.
Friends,—Tell Langé to run, he will eat and rest here, He
will be safe, and we will not send him off hungry, or bare-footed.
Signed by the chiefs. :
Wa NEN DE NE KO TON MONEY X La Terre qui Brule.

In YAG MONEY x The Thunder that Rings.
Erat WAKE YON * The Black Bull.
PIn E HON TANE x The Sun.

No, 2.—HaLr-BREEDS To THE Srovx.
Grantown, 8th December, 1844.

Frrenps,—The messenger which you sent to us, found us all
sad as yourselves, and from a similar cause: a cause which may
give a momentary interruption to the pipe of peace; but should
not, we hope, wholly extinguish it.

Friends,—You know that for half a century or more, you and®*
we have smoked the pipe of peace together; that during all that
time, no individual in your nation could say, that the half-breeds
" of Red River lifted up their hands in anger against him, until the
late fatal occurrence compelled them in self-defence to do 60;
although you well know, that year after year, your young men
have killed, and, what we regard worse than death, scalped many
belonging to us. Not that we were afraid to retaliate ; but because
we are Christians, and never indulge in revenge. And this
declaration, which may not be denied, brings us more immediately
to notice and to answer the several points in your message to us.

Friends,—You say your people have been killed: we believe
what you say, and sincerely regret it; but at the same time, you
forget to express your regret that our people were killed also:
the one fact is as well known to you as the other; and they were
killed first. You forget to notice, that whilst La Terre qui Brule
and party were in the midst of our friendly camp, smoking the
- calumet of peace in all confidence and security, your people at that
moment were treacherously murdering our friends within sight of
that very camp! You forget to mention that our dead were

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 327

brought into the camp, the bodies yet warm, and laid before your
eyes! Till then, never did it enter into the head or the heart of
a Red River half-breed to seek in revenge the blood of a Sioux.

Friends,—You state that our people have often been in your
power: we acknowledge what you say; but you must likewise
acknowledge, that your people have often been in our power, and
we sent them off with glad hearts also. Even on the late fatal
occurrence, when our dead were before your eyes,‘ and when a
hundred guns pointed with deadly aim threatened La Terre qui
Brule and party with instant death, yet more were for you than
against you; so you were safe; La Terre qui Brule and party were
safe in the camp of the half-breeds. The brave are always
generous.

Friends,—You state that when you last left us, “your shot
pouches were light and your pipes cold.” There is a time for
everything; was it a time to show you special kindness when
murdering our relations? You demand from us four loaded
carts for the four Sisitous: we never refuse paying a just debt,
never consent to pay an unjust one. Let us see how far we are
liable. In the first place, then, you know your people were the
first aggressors. You, La Terre qui Brule, saw with your own
eyes our dead, and you knew that none of your people were then
killed, and we gave up all thoughts of retaliation, still clinging
with fond hopes to that peace and friendship which had so long
cheered our intercourse together; but the very next day after you
left our camp; a party of your people were discovered rushing
upon one of our hunters who happened to be a little on one side
and alone ; the alarm was given, when the first at hand scampered
off at full speed to the rescue of their brother, and in the onset
your people were killed. Four, you say, were Yanktons. The
demand you make we cannot comply with, either for Sisitous or
Yanktons, be the consequences what they may; because we
consider it unjust. We may give a pipe of tobacco, or a load
of ammunition voluntarily; but we will submit to no unjust
demand. ‘

Friends,—You put the question, “Shall we be friends or

328 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

enemies, or shall there be peace or war?" We leave yourselves
to answer the question. They who would have friends must show
themselves friendly. We have violated no faith, we have broken
ne peace. We will break none. We will not go to find you to
do you harm. We will always respect the laws of humanity.
But we will never forget the first law of nature: we will defend
ourselves, should you be numerous as..the stars, and powerful as
the sun. You say you are not frightened : we know you are a
brave and generous people; but there are bad people among you.
Friends,—We are fond of you, because you have often showed
yourselves generous and kind to the whites: we are fond of you
from a long and friendly intercourse, and from habits of intimacy.
To sum up all in few words, we are for peace, peace is our motto ;
but on the contrary, if you are for war, and you raise the toma-
hawk in anger, we warn you not to spproach our camp either by
day or night, or you will be answerable for the consequences.
Friends—You have now our answer; we hope you will take
the same view of things, and come to the same conclusion we
have done. Langé will lay this before the great chiefs; may your
answer be the sacred pipe of peace. Put your decision on white
man’s paper. And may that peace and friendship, which has s0.
long knit our hearts together heretofore, still continue to do s0
hereafter.
(Signed) Curusert Grant,
Chief of the half-breeds, and Warden of the Plains.
To Wa NEN DE NB KO TON MONEY.
In YAG MONEY.
Eral WAKE YON.
PIN B HON TANE.

No. 3.—S1oux to tHe Hab¥-BREEps.”
To Curspert Guan, Chief of all the half-breeds, and Warden of
the Plains.

' White Bear's Lodge, 12th Feb. 1845.
Frrenps,—Langé is here, and your message is now spread before
us in council. Ne-tai-opé called for the pipe ; but Wa-nen-de-ne-

Fe
+a ve.
fate
ay

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 329

ko-ton-monéy said no: all the men were then silent; but the
women set up a noisy howl out-doors. Nothing was done till they
got quiet. The council then broke up. Next day it was the
same. The third day the council received your message as one of
peace. We now send you our answer. Langé promises to run.

Friends,—I, the afflicted father of one of the young men killed
by you, wish that he who killed my son should be my son in his
stead. He had two feathers in his head.

’ Nz Tal Ops.

Friends,—Among the young men killed by you, I had a
nephew. He who killed him I wish to be my nephew. He was
the smallest of all the unfortunates.

Friends,—You killed my son, he was brave, San-be-ge-ai-too-
tan. He who pointed the gun at him, I wish to be my son. He
had a feathered wand in his hand., I send it by Langé to my
adopted son. ~

Taw WAH CHAN CAN.

Friends,—-I wish the brave who killed my brother, should be
my brother. He had a gun and many feathers in his head. He
was young. : .

Hal To KE YAN.

Friends,—I am old and bowed down with sorrow. You killed
my brother-in-law. He was braver than the bear. Had three
wounds, and a scar on the face. Whoever killed him, I wish
him to be my brother-in-law for ever. He was bareheaded. Hair
painted red. Matly bells and beads on his leggings. He was tall
and strong.

Tau TAN YON WAH MA DE YON.

Friends,—My cousin never returned. He is dead. Whoever
deprived me of his friendship, I wish him to be my friend and
cousin. He had been wounded before, and had a crooked hand.
His feathers were red. He had garnished shoes.

. Wau MA DE OKE YON.

Friends,—You killed my father last summer. I wish him who
made me fatherless, should be my, father. He was a chief;—a-
Sisitou warrior, had a gun and a bow, had been scalped young.

_-330 ‘THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

- His feathers reached the ground. Whoever will wear those proud
feathers, I will give him a horse. ‘I will be proud of him.

Friends,—You killed my uncle, Thon-gan-en-de-na-ge. I am

- sad. Thé man who was-so brave, I wish to be my uncle. He

was a Yankton. My face is always painted black. He had on

cloth and leather leggings, and one feather. °
_ , Kan Taw KEE.

Signed by the chiefs.
~'Wa NEN DE NE KO TON MoNEXY XX La Terre qui Brule.
In yaG MONEY . .~ The Thunder that Rings.
EAI WAKE YOR . x The Black Bull.
PIN E HON TANE x The Sun.

Considering now. that peace and friendship were
restored, our hunters returned to the plains as usual;
smoked, hunted, and passed the summer among the
‘Sioux, as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened:
and all with one accord- enjoyed the present, as they
had done the past. On the strength of this friendly —-
intercourse, and renewal of peace between all parties,
for the Saulteaux were a party to the late convention,
a party of the Sioux arrived at Red River on a friendly
visit to the whites, and after a short stay returned asin’
\to their country in safety. A second party that, F reached
‘Fort Garry on the 31st of August were less fortunate.
After a welcome reception, and a few hours passed at
the fort, their curiosity was excited by the Roman
Catholic cathedral on the opposite side of the river, and
they crossed over.to visit it. Doring this brief interval,
a considerable number of Saulteaux gathered round the
fort, as is usual on the arrival of strangers; but nothing
occurred to raise the least suspicion of: any hostile
intention, so that the whites and Saulteaux were

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 331

mingled promiscuously together, awaiting the Sioux’
return. They had, however, no sooner landed—whites,
, Saulteaux, and Sioux, in a group—than a shot was fired,
and instantly two Indians fell dead. The ball, after
passing through the Sioux, killed a Saulteaux, and
grazed a white man, who narrowly escaped with his
life.

could be learned for some time. The Saulteaux fled ;
and as soon as the Sioux were lodged safe in the fort,

and the two bodies taken in, an inquiry was instituted,

when the murderer was discovered” to be a Saulteaux.
Had the criminal sought his safety in flight, he might
have been beyond our reach, before’ we were aware of

it; but no: he was ja last discovered by his own -

people, pointed out, fand identified, standing with his
-back to a fence, ‘not ‘two gun- -shots from the fort. He
* was pensive and mute, as if at a loss what to do or say
. for himself, and stood still till he was laid hold of; nor
did he attempt to deny his guilt. On being questioned,
he coolly answered, “The Sioux killed my brother,
and wounded myself last year; from that moment I
vowed revenge, that revenge I have now taken, and am
satisfied; do with me,” said he to the whites, “what
you like.” As a matter of course, he was committed
forthwith to prison.

However justifiable the conduct of the Indian might
be, according to his idea of things and the laws of his
country, few acts more daring in its nature, or more
insulting-to the whites, had ever been committed in this
quarter, and the universal voice called aloud for justice.

332 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

The fourth day after the murder was committed, he was
tried in the regular way by a jury, found’ guilty, and
condemned to be hung—the first instance of the kind
in Rupert’s Land. Being one of the Catholic converts,
he was regularly attended in his last moments by the
Reverend Mr. Belcourt, a Catholic priest. A gallows
was erected over the prison gate, and there he was
executed on the 6th September 1845.

At.first, it was apprehended the Indians and their
sympathisers might have made a stir; but the imposing
appearance of 500.mounted cavalry, all armed, com-
manded respect; and everything went on with that awe
and solemnity befitting the occasion. There were but
few Indians present, to whom Mr. Belcourt made a
short and appropriate speech, which seemed to have a
good effect. During the novel spectacle, although
more than a thousand spectators were on the spot, a
voice was scarcely heard, and all parties lef the ground
in silence. Whatever the world may think or say of
this act, any doubt or dissatisfaction that existed at the
time arose from mere pity; the punishment, in the eyes
of all present, was deemed just.

Long before this affair took place, the Indians had
become insolent and overbearing ; the peace and safety
of the whites loudly called for some check on their _
growing audacity, and a fairer opportunity than now
offered could never occur. Had we through a false
sympathy overlooked this insult, our leniency would
have been attributed to nothing but fear; and_ thus
would have increased their assurance, and our danger.
_The propriety of the decisive course adopted has been

a “ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 333

proved by its salutary influence on the conduct of the

Indians generally, demonstrating that they were

amenable to the laws, and that crime, either by the

whites or Indians, would not be tolerated within the
‘ colony.

A circumstance which took place in the previous .
year may here be noticed, by-way-of Showing the tact,
hardihood, and cunning, which distinguish the Indians.
In the night of the 22nd of September, the Company’s
trading shop was robbed of its strong box, containing
about 4057. sterling. The shutter had been forced, the
window opened, and the -box carried off; which done,
the window was again closed, and the shutter properly
replaced. This was done in ‘the middle of the fort
square—the fort being peopled on every side, surrounded
by a high stone wall, and its gates shut; yet it was SO.

. well managed, that nothing appeared to excite the least
suspicion, until the shop-door was opened in the
morning, and the money missed.

Search being made, the strong box was presently
found broken open, and concealed in some bushes behind
the fort. A ladder also, with which the wall had been
scaled, was discovered at the distance of a mile, although
there were, at the time, several other ladders lying
about the place which had not been touched. Suspicion

~ fell on the whiteg-and half-breeds, as everything
indicated watchfulness, address, and caution ; some few,
and they were but few, thought it possible that it might
have been the Indians; and this opinion gained strength
. when it was found that a young Saulteaux Indian had
decamped in the direction of Pembina. The police

334 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

_Were put on the scent, as far as Pembina; but the
traces of the Indian went still farther. Beyond the
lines, private individuals pursued the discovery for
upwards of 250 miles, when they came up with the
fugitive on the shores of Red Lake, and there, by the
friendly assistance of the missionaries, they secured
the fellow, and recovered the money, which he had still
on his person, with the exception of some eight or ten
shillings. The thief, being on American ground, was
then allowed to go, and the poor fellow has been expa-
triated ever since, not daring to return to the colony.
The ladder alluded to was a heavy load for a man to
carry, and yet the probability is, that the unaided
villain went through the whole process himself, single-
handed. An act which for boldness and finesse could
searcely be surpassed by the most expert burglars. -
As this year witnessed the failure of the most signal
efforts that had hitherto been made to open an export
trade for the produce of Red River, we might here
develope that subject at length, but it is necessary to
proceed with caution, lest we encourage false hopes, and
colour our subject too favourably. We have seen the
plain-hunters as loud before in their demands for an
export trade; but when put to the test, the whole settle-
ment could not produce a boat’s load for exportation.
The plain business is as uncertain as the wind that blows.
One year may prove abundant, and the next a complete
failure. Indeed, since this demand has been a-foot, the
plains have been known so far to fail, that not a pound
of tallow could be found in the colony to make candles ;
and-when got, not at 14d. or 2d., but its cost was 4d.

fos
?
H
2
a

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 335

per pound. Such fluctuations must account for apparent

contradictions occasionally in our own statements, as we

cannot but follow, in the course of our history, the

irregular and uncertain circumstances which compose

it. System would, no doubt, do much towards creating

'. a steady supply; and with all the ups and downs,
doubts, and uncertainties we have described, it cannot
be denied that a market is wanting for the farmer
as well as the plain-hunter.

Our pgpulation, as we have before observed, is made
up of two*élasses nearly equal in number ; the European
or agricultural party, and the native: or aboriginal
party, called hunters or half-breeds, differing as much
in their habits of life and daily pursuits as in the colour
of their skin. In the present state of things, their
interests are exactly opposed to each other, inasmuch as
a market for one party shuts up all prospect against the
other. When the plains fail, the farmer’s produce is in
demand; and when the crops fail, the hunter finds a
ready market; but when both are successful, there is not
a tithe of a market for either within the colony. Such a
state of things as now exists, we need hardly remark,
cramps industry, and renders labour—the great source
of wealth in other countries—itterly fruitless. Hence,
an idle, vagrant, and grumbling population—a population
with barns full, stores teeming with plenty, and yet
their wives and children half naked, insomuch that the

‘more industrious and wealthy can scarcely command a
shilling to pay the doctor’s bill, or their children’s
education. Singular assemblage of wealth and want, —
of abundance and wretchedness !

“

336 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT ;

On the graver side of the subject, namely, the
administration of the laws, a word still remains to be.
said. How long, it may be asked, will a people in this
wretched state of things, without any profitable pursuit,
or power to maintain order, yield obedience to the Jaws?
The aboriginal inhabitants of the soil, without profitable
employment, without means, without care, impatient of
restraint, by nature wild as the country which gave-
them birth, free and independent as the air they ‘breathe,
where is the power to command subordination? or what
boon is offered them for obedience? Their advantage,
on the contrary, is to be found in breaking the laws
rather than obeying them. Even at this moment, it
requires not only a vigilant eye,'but the exercise of
patience and forbearance, to administer justice. It is
alitiost.dangerous to own property, and that danger is
increasing hourly. “Take our produce,” is the universal
cry—the universal threatening voice. Nor is it the Voice
of the native class alonés all classes unite in calling aloud
for a market; and will the united efforts of a whole
people be disregarded by the few whose duty it is to
remedy such evils? Ifso,it may be convenient for them
to bear in mind, that sooner or later, a storm may burst
forth, and the first burst of that storm may fall on their
own heads, if it does not prove fatal to the colony.

Not to recount a hundred other arguments which
occurred to me at this time (for I can here most
conveniently. speak as a narrator), I had resolved to
bring the question of an export trade before our. council,
at its first meeting; and such were the assurances of
support I had received, that, in imagination, I had the

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 337

_ ball at my foot. At length, the long-wished-for day
arrived, and thrusting my papers into my pocket, I
repaired to the council-room full of hope that the dav
of better things for Red River was at last come. Alas!
a strong under-current had been at work, and my
warmest supporters had gr cold. The measure was
offensive in a certain high \quarter, and the council
considered it the wisest poli¢y to look upon it in the
same light. Jt was apparent, in a moment, from
the side glances, grave looks, and long faces about
me, that the export trade was about to expire in the
struggle for birth. After two or three ineffectual
attempts to be heard, without any other reason given, it
was observed to me, “ Your motion is premature ;” on
which the president remarked, “It is not a subject for
this Council; but for the Governor and Council of
Rupert’s Land.” This was a most convenient fore-
closure of the subject; but right or wrong, the decision
admitted of no alternative. From that day the half-
breeds turned their thoughts towards the Americans
and the American Government: the farmers meanwhile
looked at each other in silence, and kept dragging on as
usual,

But the failure of our export trade project did not
prevent us from entering into another, and the last we
shall have occasion to notice in the catalogue of experi-
ments. Notwithstanding the limited number of sheep
in the colony, and consequently the scarcity of wool,
nothing would do but we must have a fulling-mill.
So the project of a fulling-mill was set on foot—and

a very useful article it is in a place where it is wanted,
Q

338 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

or where wool and cloth, to any extent, occupy the
attention of the people; but for a community like ours,
with never as much wool as would keep us in mittens
and socks, a more foolish and useless speculation could
scarcely be imagined; especially as its tendency must
be to diminish, not encourage manual labour, and by so
doing, swell the list of idlers, already too great. When
this whim took us, an American on the spot offered to
bring us a small fulling-mill from the States, and erect
it, and set it going, at a cost of 501, sterling. Neverthe-
less, from a deeply-rooted prejudice against everything
American, we preferred obtaining one from England,
at an expense, including cost and charges, landed in Red
River, of 3002
Our mill being erected, we waited three months or
more for a bit_of cloth, and then discovered that it.
~ would not go. It was altered in some respect, and now
we hoped all was right; but after waiting a month or
two longer, a farmer brought 25 yards of cloth to be
falled, which proved too small a quantity: the mill
required 100 yards to give her a fair trial. A second
month elapsed, and we got 30 yards more; but the mill
refused to go without its full allowance, and before more
cloth could arrive, the man that brought the first, took
it away as it was; by and by, the second did the same;
and from that day till this—a period of five years—the
fulling-mill has been- silent and motionless. All we
have for our money is the edifying spectacle of this
specimen of our liberality fast mouldering to decay.
We have mentioned that the people of Red River
have strong prejudices against our republican neigh-

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 339

bours of the south; but to prevent misunderstanding,
this remark is meant to apply only to the fur-hunters
on the frontier, whose grasping propensities have proved
so offensive. It sometimes happens that we have to
rebuke them for an infringement of rights—a fox or a
lynx carried off, perhaps—in which case they bluster
and bully, and throw the fault on us for showing the
example, forgetting, that if we take a few wild buffaloes
from them, they take many valuable furs from us.
They also keep tampering and meddling with our
people, not forgetting to tell them how much better their
Government is than ours, and how liberal their traders ;
as if we could forget the Missouri tariff!

One of their plain-rangers happening to meet some of
our hunters, one of whom had two black foxes for sale,
- he inquired where they were conveying them, and what
price they were to get. The reply was “Fort Garry;” and
the price “twenty-five shillings a-piece for them.” “ Tut,
man!” said the American, “they cheat you; come with
me; and I will give you thirty shillings for each.” A
bargain was struck for one; the man could not part
with the other. Taking the fellow to his shop, he gave

him a blanket and a knife for his thirty shillings. The .

man refusing the price offered, demanded his fox-skin.
“No,” said the trader: “you cannot take furs across the
line; it is now on American ground; you: must either
take the price offered, or forfeit the skin.” So the fellow
had to content himself with what he got, or go without!

For the other, he got his twenty-five shillings in cash at _

Fort Garry; which brought him two blankets and two
knives. Such is.a frontier trader’s liberality !

340 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

In other respects, the Americans are on the most
friendly terms with us. Notwithstanding the high rate
they charge for their goods, our hunters are devotedly
attached .tg.,them, and their interests of late have
partaken of ‘Much in common. With them, everything
American is praised, everything British dispraised ; and
yet all agree that American goods are very inferior to
English, There is a well-grounded reason for this
preference. Since the road to Saint Peter’s has become
practicable, thither all the moneyless and poor go every
summer, to find a ready market for their robes, leather,
provisions, and garnished work—articles which they
could not sell in the colony; and in return for which
they get all their wants supplied—stoves,=iron, tea,
tobacco, and a thousand other articles of great ‘value to
them—a resource which puts the poor of this settlement
on a footing with the rich. Saint Peter’s, to them, is
what London is to the moneyed man. Under such
circumstances, it cannot be wondered, that the attach-
ment grows stronger and stronger every day.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 341

ContEents.—Cause of the Presbyterians resumed—Governor Fin-
layson—The petition—The clergy at work —Criticisms—
Correspondence with Leadenhall-street— Affidavits— Doubts
removed—The church site question—Company’s ultimatum—
Appeal to the Free Church of Scotland—Time lost—Friendly

_aid of Sir George Simpson~-The four propositions—The
minister in view—Correspondence _sent_to England—More
delay—Bishop of Rupert’s Land—The secession—The Presby-
terians at home—The churchyard—Frog Plain—The church
and the manse—End of the forty years’ agitation.

}

Continurve the thread of our history, we find the cause
of the Presbyterians again brought under our notice, and
now, indeed, for the last time. The innovations daily
being introduced into the English churches, developing
more and more strongly their Popish tendencies, so
disgusted the Presbyterians that they determined on
making another strong effort to get their own minister ;
and the arrival of a new Governor at this time opened
the door of hope once more to them.

We have, from time to time, had Governors of all
classes—some good, some bad, English and Scotch,
Catholic and Protestant; but it was Mr. Finlayson’s

342 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

lot, from the impartial and straightforward course he
pursued, to unite and to please all. A man of business
habits, liberal principles, and strictly just, he knew
nothing of party and its objects, but at once took his
position in the interest of all, and especially as the
friend of the poor. With Mr. Finlayson’s arrival, every-
thing underwent a change. The settler was invited to
bring in his produce without reserve; and the farmer,
for the first time, saw himself placed on the same
footing with the hunter. There was now an end of
favouritism; and Mr. Finlayson showed such a deter-
mination to promote the general interests of the colony,
that we resolved at once on laying our case before him.
At a meeting, therefore, of the Presbyterian community
on church matters, a pétition was prepared for the new
Governor. -

With the petition a » deputation waited on Mr. Gover-
nor Finlayson, who received it courteously, and stated
his opinion frankly and favourably. He told the
deputation that he regarded the treatment of the Scotch
emigrants, in respect to their long and grievous want of a
minister of their own persuasion, as a blot in the history
of the colony; it was a question, however, that rested
chiefly with the Committee of the Hudson’s Bay Com-
pany; and he strongly urged upon the aggrieved party
the propriety of petitioning that body on the subject.
Acting on his suggestions, we addressed the following
petition to the Governor and Committee, and put it into
the hands of the Governor-in-Chief of Rupert’s Land,*
Sir George Simpson, in June, 1844, to be by him

presented at home :—

(

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 343
c

To rue Governor, Deruty Governor, anp CoxmITTEER oF THE
Hon. Hupson’s Bay Company, Loxnon.

The Petition of the Presbyterian Inhabitants of Red River Colony ;
‘Humbly showeth,—

That about thirty years since, say in 1815, the greater part of
your petitioners were brought from the north of Scotland to this
country, either by the late Earl of Selkirk for this colony, or by
your Honourable Company, as artisans and labourers for your
service. That emigration from Scotland and the service, and
other causes, have since continued to increase their number to
about 2,600 persons, who may be considered to have been during
that period without a pastor, at least of their own persuasion, to
administer to their spiritual wants.

That your petitioners, before leaving Scotland, had a solemn
promise from the late Earl of Selkirk that a clergyman of their
own Church would either accompany them to this country, or
join them the following year in it. That when his Lordship
visited the colony in the year 1817, this promise was then ~
renewed; but the troubles, or rather the law-suits, in which his
Lordship was engaged in Canada, detained him long there; and
the state of his health, after going home, rendered it necessary for
him to travel on the continent of Europe, when he unfortunately
died, put an end to the hope which they, up to that period, had
cherished, and which has not since been realized.

That the attention of your petitioners has long been turned
with painful solicitude to their spiritual wants in this settlement;
that widely as they are scattered among other sections of the
Christian family, and among many who cannot be considered as
belonging to it at all, they are in danger of forgetting that they
have brought with them into this land, where they have sought a _
home, nothing so valuable as the faith of Christ, and the primitive °
simplicity of their own form of worship; and that their children
are in danger of losing sight of those Christian bonds of union and
- fellowship which characterize the sincere followers of Christ.

, -
:
.
4
4

344 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

That your petitioners donot deny but they have enjoyel
some Gospel privileges in this place, nor to insinuate that the
promises of Christianity belong exclusively to their Church ; but
rather to state that they are strongly attached to their own form of
worship, and wish to enjoy the freedom of serving God according
to the dictates of their consciences, and the rules prescribed by
their own Church, within whose bosom your petitioners have been
nurtured ; and they believe and are persuaded, that it speaks
more forcibly and powerfully to their hearts than any other,
and that within its pale, and within it alone, they wish to live and
die. ‘

That your petitioners, forming, as they do, one of the more
orderly, industrious, and intelligent part of this community, and
feeling, as already stated, conscientiously devoted to their Church,
can no longer abstain from appealing to the generosity and
liberality of your honourable board, in the fond hope that the
prayer of their petition will not pass unregarded, and that you
will not withhold from them the boon which you have afforded
to other denominations of Christians in this country—that is to
say, the means of spreading God's word, and fulfilling his purposes
of love towards mankind, and of making Him more fully known
in this land to his fallen creatures, for their adoration.

That your petitioners are mortified: to see-year after year
Roman Catholic priests brought into the settlement 3 resent no
less than six over a population of some 3,000—and Chine 1 of
England missionaries, no fewer than four over a few; while your
petitioners are left to grope in the dark, without even one. And
yet your petitioners were the rst, the only regular emigrants in
the colony ; and on the faith of having a clergyman of their own
Church they left their mative country.

Therefore your petitioners would most humbly and respect-
fully implore your honourable board to send to this colony-a
Presbyterian clergyman of the Kirk of Scotland, for their edifi-
cation and instruction; and as their means will furnish him with ,
but a small stipend, you would be pleased, according to your usual
liberality, to contribute something towards his support, in like

t
i ~
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 345

manner as you have done to all the missionaries sent to your
territories.
And your petitioners, 93 in duty bound, will ever pray.

ALEXANDER Ross.

Rozeat Logan.

James SINCLAIR.

"And forty other heads of families.
This step of the Presbyterian party alarmed the mis-
sionaries, who did their utmost, both in word and deed,
to defeat our object. Every head and pen were at
work. Our petition was roughly handled,8and pro-
nounced unintelligible. It was analyzed, ‘scrutinized,
and criticised ; whole sheets were written exposing the
errors in our petition, and doled out as wholesome
advice to the people in this emergency. A holy crusade
was raised against our lawless proceedings, as had
always been the case whenever an attempt was made,
either in word or deed, to revive the obnoxious
subject of a Presbyterian minister; for we are told
the Jews and Samaritans have no dealings together.
Our “expressions were intolerable;” our principles
were taunted, and our conscientious scruples pro-
nounced “absurd.” The phrase, “ Presbyterian form |
of worship,” said one more knowing than the rest,
“can give no definite notion either of our religious
tenets or of the Church to which we belong;” adding,
- “the Presbyterians may seek, but shall not find;
persevere, but shall not. prevail.” * Your language,”
said another, “ offends both grammar and Scripture.”
“The Church of Scotland,” said a third, “is rent
asunder ; it is no longer a Church,” and the use of the
term “ Presbyterian,” obsolete. In short, all our “moods
Q5

346 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

and tenses” were out of place; an assertion which they
were very welcome to make, as our lives had not been

» This, however,

spent in adjusting “ moods and tenses.
was not the worst; for the next Sabbath-day we were
told from the pulpit that “ No Presbyterian would ever
enter the kingdom of heaven!” At length, in June,
1845, the following letter was received from London in
answer to our petition :—

Hudson's Bay House, London, March 81st, 1845.
GznTLEMEN,—I am directed by the Governor and Committee of
the Hudson's Bay Company, to acknowledge the receipt of your
. petition, dated 10th of June, praying that they would send out to
‘ Red River settlement a clergyman of the Church of Scotland, for
the edification of the Presbyterian inhabitants, ang alsd that they
would contribute towards his support.
The reasons urged in support of the petition are the granting of
_ similar indulgences to missionaries of other denominations, and a
“promise made by the late Earl of Selkirk to the original settlers
of Red River; with respect to which, the Governor and Com-
mittee have to observe, in the first place, that the indulgences
granted to missionaries can form no precedent for maintaining the
minister of a Presbyterian congregation at Red River settlement,
as these indulgences are allowed in consideration of the services
rendered by the missionaries in instructing and converting the
aboriginal inhabitants, who are unable to provide religious instruc-
tion for themselves; and, secondly, that they know of no such
promise as that stated to have been given by the late Earl of Selkirk.
During the time that the settlement was under the direction of
the late Earl of Selkirk, no steps appear to have been taken with
a view to the appointment of a Presbyterian clergyman ; nor,
when it was transferred by his Lordship to the Hudson's Bay
Company, was any stipulation to that effect made with them..
Nevertheless, if you and those you represent are prevented by
conscientious scruples from availing yourselves of the religious

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 347

services of a clergyman of the Church of England, the Governor
and Committee will order a passage to be provided in one of their
ships for any minister, to. be supported by yourselves, whom you
may think fit to engage.
I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
A. Barcray, Secretary.
To Messrs. A. Ross, Robert Logan, James Sinclair.

On receipt of this letter, in order to remove all doubt
as to the promises that had-been made to us by Lord
Selkirk, both before and after coming to this country,
we made the subjoined statements on oath, and for-
warded them ‘to the Honourable Committee, together
with the following letter :—

To THe Governor, Derury Governor, AND COMMITTEE OF THE
Hunson’s Bay Company.
Red River Settlement, 18th July, 1845.

Honovrep Srrs,—We have the honour to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter in answer to our petition, dated 31st March
last, wherein you state, first, “that you know of no such promise
as that stated” by us}“‘to have been given by the late Earl of
Selkirk.” Secondly, that “ during the time that the settlement
was under the direction of the Earl of Selkirk, no steps appear to
have been taken with a view to the appointment of a Presbyterian
minister; nor, when it was transferred by his Lordship to the
' Hudson's Bay Company, was any stipulation to that effect made
with them.” With reference to the first of these points, we beg
most respectfully to’ refer your honours to the accompanying
affidavits, which, we trust, will leave no doubt on your minds but
that a clergyman of our own persuasion was promised us by the late
Earl of Selkirk, both before and after leaving our own country ;
and permit us also to say, that we know nothing of the transfer
you mention, “further than hearing it now and then rumoured that
such was the case; but as to the fact, we knew nothing of it until
we saw it stated in your honour’s letter ; therefore could not, at

348 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

. the time, have made any “ stipulation to that effect.” This we

know, however, that in 1833, when the building of the stone
church, noticed in affidavit second, was contemplated, we were
distinctly told by the Governor-in-Chief, that a Mr. Noble, a
Presbyterian minister, was engaged, and would be ‘out for us the
year following, or surely we had never allowed a place of worship
for any other sect to be built on our church lot; but we never
heard anything more about: Mr. Nobie or any other up till this _
hour.

“ Further, we, the party now applying to your honours for a
clergyman of our own persuasion, only ask for our rights—rights
soleranly promised to us—being the conditions on which we left
our own country: and further, we beg to state, and that without
Year of contradiction, that we have, ‘one and all, to the utmost of
our power, faithfully and zealously fulfilled all the promises,
obligations, debts and. dues, we owed, both to his Lordship and to
the Hudson’s Bay Company, from the day we left our native
country up td this day. And this fact encourages us to hope -and
expect, that your honours will be pleased to re-consider our case,
recognise our claim, and grant the prayer of our petition.

We are, honoured sirs,
eo, Your obedient humble servants,

See ALEXANDER Ross,
* . _ Rosert Loean.
For and in behalf of the Presbyterian James Sincrair.

. inhabitants of Red River.

Arrmavit Finsz.

We, the undersigned settlers in Selkirk’s Colony, Hudson’s
Bay, make oath on the holy evangelist, that in the spring of 1815,
at Helmsdale, Sutherlandshire, when we and the other emigrants
agreed with the late Earl of Selkirk to come out to Red River as
colonists, one of the conditions stipulated, and solemnly promised ,
by his Lordship, was, that a minister of our own persuasion should
accompany us. That the Rey. Donald Sage, now minister in the
parish of Rosolis, was the gentleman agreed to, and he was to have
500. a year from his Lordship. Our minister along with us, was

‘

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 349

\
‘

the strongest inducement held out to the emigrants for coming 4o
Red River, and without which we had not left our native country.
And the reason why Mr. Sage did not accompany us, os agreed
upon, was this—his father, Alexander Sage, then minister in the
parish of Kildonnan, requested the Earl of Selkirk to leave his
son for another year in order to perfect himself more fully in the
Gaelic language, which request his Lordship submitted for the
consideration of the emigrants, who yielded their consent on
condition that his Lordship would answer for his being sent out
the year following... This was agreed to, and Mr. Sage remained;
his Lordship, in the mean time, appointing one James Sutherland,
an elder of: our church, and one of the emigrants, to marry and
baptize during that year. till Mr. Sage should arrive. But Mr.
Sage never came out, and Mr. Sutherland was, during the troubles
in the country, forcibly carried off to Canada by the North-West
people, and from that day to this, we have been without a settled -
dispensation of the means of grace; not, being able to obtain a
minister. . ; ’

Over and over again have we applied to every Governor in the
colony, since its commencement; to Mr. Halkett, also his Lord-
ship’s kinsman, and to the Governor-in-Chief of Rupert’s Land;
and time after time petitioned the men in power’among us; but’
all to no effect. What other step, then, could we have taken ?
This is the truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God!

Anous Margeson.
ALEXANDER Marsieson.

Sworn and subscribed before me at Red River settlement, this
18th of July, 1845—Grozce Marcus Cary, J. P.

> Arrmpavir Secon. .

” We, the undersigned settlers in Selkirk’s Colony, Hudson's Bay,
make oath on the holy evangelist, that in the summer of 1817,
when the late Earl-of Selkirk visited the colony, he assembled all
the Scotch settlers together, and held a meeting on the west bank
of the river, some two miles below Fort Garry, on the identical
spot on which now stands the upper stone church, being lot No. 4,

350 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

original survey; and on which was settled at the time John Me
Beath, one of the deponents; and on lot No. 3, the next to it on
the south side, was settled his father, Alexander Mc Beath, another
of the emigrants. “These two lots,” addressing the two Mc
Beaths, said his Lordship, “I intend granting the former for your
church, as you have already formed a ghurehs ard on it, and the
latter for your school ; if you will give: them up for that use, in

lieu of other two lots ‘which I shall give you, i in any place you may
select. To this proposition they willingly + agreed; and all the
people were highly pleased at his Lordship’s arrangement. His
Lordship then, in presence of us and the meeting, said to Mr.
Alexander McDonell, then Governor of the colony, and on the
spot at-the time, “‘ You will give Alexander and John McBeath,
_ in lieu of the lots they now occupy, and which are to be hence-
forth reserved for their church and school, a lot to each, in any
place within the colony which they may think fit:” and they did
select other two lots, and removed to them accordingly. His
Lordship then obsérved to the emigrants, “These lots are to be
reserved for your minister, to be ready for him by the time he
comes.” On mentioning their minister, the Scotch people got a
little warm on the subject. “Our minister” said they, “ought to
have been here before now.” On their making this remark, his
Lordship was touched, and drawing his hand across his neck,
exclaimed, “You might as well cut my throat as doubt my word ;
you shall have your minister; nothing but the troubles in the
country prevented Mr. Sage from being here before now; but you
shall have your minister; Selkirk never forfeited his word.”
-And so anxious was his Lordship to see his promise fulfilled, that
immediately on reaching Canada, seeing he would be detained
there longer than he wished, he ordered his agent, a Mr. Pritchard
of Red River, and now alive, to engage and forward a Presby-
terian minister without delay, as Mr. Sage had not come out; but
his return to England, and the bad state of his health, rendered
it necessary for him to travel on the continent, where he died;
and unfortunately for the Scotch settlers, Mr. Pritchard belonging
to the Episcopal Church himsélf, took no further interest in our

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 351

affairs; 80 that up to this day / the Scotch emigrants have not got’
their minister. All this is the truth, and nothing but the truth,
so help us God! ;
: ‘ Joun McBeatu.
ALEXANDER MurtHeson.
Joun Matuuson.
Axeus Matueson.
ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND.

Sworn and subscribed before me, at Red River settlement, this
18th of July, 1845—Grorce Marcus Cary, J. P.

It will be noticed that the Committee state, “that they
know of no such promise as that stated to have been
given by the late Earl of Selkirk;” as.much as to say,
if we interpret right, that had a promise been made, it
would have been attended to, and acted on. Now, we
think we have made it -pretty clear, that not only a
promise, but promises were made; and yet, what is the
effect? Not one word about our affidavits! as shall
appear in the following letter, which we recived

reply :—-

Hudson's Bay House, London, 6th June, 1846.

Grnttemen,—I am directed by the Governor, Deputy Governor,
and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company, to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 18th July last, with accompanying
documents, and to acquaint you that they can neither recognise
the claim-therein advanced, nor do anything more toward§ the
object you have in view than they have already stated their
willingness to do.

[have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A. Barcray, Secretary.

Messrs. A. Ross, Robert Logan, James Sinclair.

352 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Such was the Company’s ultimatum; and as our
hopes were now at an end in that quarter, the writer
lost no time in opening a communication with the Free
Church of Scotland. To relate the result in this place
we shall be compelled to anticipate our history by a year
or two; but we shall prefer this course to that of resuming
the subject in a future chapter. A duplicate of our
correspondence with the Company, and other documents,
were transmitted to the Rev. Dr. Brown, of Aberdeen,
then Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free
Church, which he, on his part, lost no time in trans-
mitting to the Rev. John Bonar, of Renfield Free
Church, Glasgow, Convener of the General Assembly’s
Colonial Committee. Three years.elapsed before we
received'a reply, owing in part to the great distance
between Red River and the old country; but in a still
greater degree to the difficulty experienced in trans-
mitting our letters, and their frequent miscarriage. Its

terms were as follows :—
Glasgow, May 16th, 1849.
My DEAR Sm, —I am grieved to say that we have not yet
succeeded in finding a suitable minister to. be sent to the Red
River Settlement. I have opened communications with two or
three on the subject ; but none of them have seen it their duty to
accept. I will not, however, relax my efforts, and hope, by this
time next year, to be able to send some one, as the Colonial Com-
mittee has set itself, with all earnestness, to find one; and in the
meantime, I am, my dear sir, with great regard,
Yours truly,
_ doun Bonaz, ,
Convener of the Colonial Committee of the
Free Church of Scotland.

Alexander Ross, Esq., Red River Settlement.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 353

Thus encouraged, we addressed two letters to Sir
George Simpson, on the subject of our church and
school lots, which had so long been occupied by the
English missionaries, that they regarded church and
lands as their own. It will be remembered, however,
that the lot was in our possession, and that the burying-
ground on it had been used’ by our people exclusively,
for eight years before the first English missionary for
Red River crossed the Atlantic. To these letters the
following reply was sent :—

Fort Alexander, 7th July, 1849.
My pgar Sim,—I have only time, in passing this place, to
acknowledge your two letters of June, which I found here. With
reference to the transfer of the Upper Church to the Presbyterians,
and the other arrangements connected with the minister expected
out this season, I must defer giving any opinion on the subject ;
it being one of so much importance, that I must communicate
thereon with the Governor and Committee.—Believe me, my dear

sir, Yours very faithfully,
(Signed) Grorce Simpson.

Alexander Ross, Esq., Red River Settlement.

Seeing that Sir George’s arrangement would throw.
the matter back for at least one year more, the writer
next opened a communication with Mr. Chief Factor
Ballenden, the Company’s chief officer at Fort Garry,
through whose agency a full statement of all the points
to be settled were laid before Sir George Simpson.
' His Excellency returned the following reply :—

’ Upper Fort Garry, 2nd July, 1850.
Drax Sin,—I have just received from Mr. Chief Factor
Ballenden, three papers addressed to hith by yourself and others,

354 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

respectively purporting to be “ Presbyterian Question,” “Church
Question,” and “ Claims respecting Church Lands.” . On a careful
perusal of these documents, I find that you “and your friends
refer to various points, which not only require, but also appear to
deserve, 2 more extensive and patient investigation than my very
short stay will permit me to bring to a satisfactory conclusion.

In a few weeks at most, however, Mr. Governor Colvile will
reach the colony. He, I feel confident, will be ready to adjust
your claims in the premises on equitable and liberal principles, and
meanwhile, you will have the goodness to hand to Mr. Ballenden
the whole of your evidence in detail, for Mr. Colvile’s consider-
ation. Accept for your friends and yourself my assurances, that
I shall rejoice in the amicable settlement of a question that has
been so long agitated, and believe me to be, dear sir,

Yours truly,
(Signed) Grorce Simpson.

Alexander Ross, Esq., Red River Settlement.

During this time, Dr. Bonar took a lively interest in
our cause; yet all great bodies move slowly, and much °
time was necessarily spent in discussion before any
decision was arrived at. At length it was determined
to transfer the matter to the Presbyterian Church of
Canada. This gave a new impulse, to the business,
and rendered the correspondence more certain, by
bringing it a step nearer to our door; besides which,
Dr. Burns, at the head of the Church in Canada,
entered into the matter, heart and hand. Frem this
time, the cause of the Presbyterians in Red River
became more and more known; and the more it became
known, the more lively was the -interest, manifested in
its favour. On this occasion, a correspondence of some
length took place between the’late Reverend Mr.

a ry

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 355

Rintoul of Montreal, and Sir George Simpson: the
former was warmly devoted to our cause, and;, at the
eleventh hour, the latter gave it his best support ; even |
the Committee at home now began to view the cause of
the Presbyterians in a favourable light, and this was
the main-spring of the whole machinery. Meantime,
Mr. Eden Colvile had succeeded Sir George Simpson
as Governor of Rupert’s Land, and to him, as a matter
of course, our appeal had now to be transferred. The
subjoined letter will show how it was received :—

Lower Fort Garry, 30th Oct. 1850.

Dear Srr,—I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of 28th ult., written in behalf of the Presbyterian community of
Red River Settlement, and em much pleased with the moderate
tone it bears, which seems to hold out a fair prospect of finally
settling the question. I now beg to hand you, for the information
of the said community, the following reply. The propositions I
have to make are as under :-—

1. That the present church should be valued by arbitration or
otherwise, and a proportionate amount be paid to each seceder
from the congregation.

2. That the right to burial in the existing share oara be
reserved. With these two propositions the Bishop of Rupert's
Land has expressed to me his entire concurrence.

8. That a grant of the Frog Plain shall be made to the trustees
of the Presbyterian community, to be held by them in trust for

the congregation, for the purposes of sites for church, church-
yard, school-house, and glebe. I should be willing to make this
grant as soon as the church shall be erected, and a Presbyterian
minister in occupation thereof.

4. That at the next meeting of the Council of the Northern
Department, I shall recommend a grant of 150/. sterling towards
the erection of the church, such sum, if voted, to be paid into the

356 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

hands of the trustees of the congregation, so soon as preparations
are made for commencing thgawork.

You may.consider this arrangement, as far as I am concerned,
as definitely settled ; but I deem it right to inform you, that I
have no instructions on the subject from the Governor and Com-
mittee, and that it is possible, although I think not probable,
that, they may take a different view of the matter.—I remain,
dear sir,> ~

Very truly yours,
(Signed) E. Cotvine.
Alexander Ross, Esq., Colony Gardens.

Here, then, were the “liberal and equitable” condi-
tions offered to us as an equivalent for our church and

school lots; and yet, had they been free of all doubt

and uncertainty, rather than see the missionaries
disturbed, we would have accepted them. The second
proposition in the original stipulation made by us was
thus worded :—“ That the right of burial in the existing
churchyard be secured to the members of the Presby-
terian community in all time to come, according to the
rules of the Presbyterian church of Scotland.” Yet,
abridged as it was, we did not object. The third and
fourth propositions, however, were so vague, that the
correspondence with reference to them was sent home
for the consideration and decision of the Committee; and
we heard nothing further on the subject till the writer
was favoured with the following communication :—

Lower Fort Garry, 16th April, 1851.
Mr pear Srr,—I beg once more to address you on the subject
of the claims of the Presbyterian community, and with reference
thereto, have to direct your attention to the annexed extract from

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 357

a Ietter from Mr. Secretary Barclay to myself, under date,
“ Hudson's Bay House, London, 6th Dec., 1850," which I received
per winter packet. “ethe settlement of the vexed question of
the Presbyterian claim, in the manner proposed—namely, a grant
of the Frog Plain, with the sum of 1502., in full of all claims and
demand, and free of all conditions—meets the entire approbation
of the Governor and Committee, they confirm it.”

In conclusion, I beg to express a hope that you and your friends
will do me the justice of believing that I am actuated with a
sincere desire of settling this long vexed question, and that you
and ‘the other members of the Presbyterian community will meet
me in a like spirit. Trusting that I shall have a favourable reply
to this letter, I remain, my dear sir,

Very truly yours,
; (Signed) E. Corvin.
“Alerander Ross, E'sq., Colony Gardens.

It is but justice to observe, that we have had every
reason to allow Governor Colvile full credit: for sin-
cerity, which, indeed, was sufficiently proved by the
ready~kindness with which he endeavoured to adjust
whatever differences prevented a settlement. The
same spirit, as the above letter must demonstrate, now
animated the Hudson’s Bay Company; who, by one
stroke of the pen, has set this “ vexed question,” as it
has been called, at rest for ever. Soon after receiving
the Company’s decision, putting us in possession of the
Frog Plain, a public meeting was convened, a committee
of management appointed, and a manse erected for our
minister. Within a week’ or two of the same date we
also received the first certain tidings of our minister
coming from Canada, as shown by the official ; letter.
subjoined :—

358 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

Toronto, C. W., 8th May, 1851.“

Drax Siz,—As serious difficulties have come in the way of an
immediate mission to the Red River, I beg in name of our com-
mittee to state that we have every reason to rely on a missionary —
of approved character being prepared to go forward by the
caravans from St. Anthony’s Falls about the beginning of July;
and in the confident hope of this, wet have to request of you to
make the arrangements’ to which you referred in your conversa-
tion with the Reverend Mr. Rintoul at Montreal.

In name of the members of our Presbytery and Synod, who
have been consulted with on the present occasion, I feel myself
authorized to give this pledge; and farther to return you our
hearty thanks for the deep interest you have taken in this
important matter, and to express our regret that it has not been
in our power to take advantage of the kind offer you made, to

‘carry up with yourself an approved labourer for this interesting
field. —I have the honour to be, dear sir,
‘ , ” ‘Faithfully yours,

. Rosert Burys, D.D.,
_ Chairman of the Commuttee on

J. Ballenden, Esq. . Mission to Red River.

A party sent to the falls of St. Anthony at the period
fixed upon, returned on the first of August without
meeting the promised minister. .On the 19th of
September, however, our Jong-cherished hopes were at
leagth realized by the arrival of the Reverend Mr. John
Black from Montreal, the first Presbyterian minister to
‘this neglected colony, and for whose conveyance across
the long and dreary plain, we are under many and
:£ deep obligations to Governor Ramsey of Minnesota.
As the manse, which it was intended should for the
present serve as'a place of worship, was not quite ready
for Mr. Black’s reception, application was made to the

cat

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 359

Bishop of Rupert’s Land, the present occupier of our
property, for leave to preach ar afternoon’s sermon in
the church built on our lands. Although his Lordship’s
church had enjoyed the free use of our lands for more
than thirty years, this request was denied us. It made
little difference. Mr. Black’s arrival was the signal for
every flock to follow its own shepherd, and no less
than 300 Presbyterians left the English church in one
day.

We have said that the “ vexed question” was settled,
and set at rest for ever; but this was not exactly the
case, as the Bishop, after some little time, started a new
difficulty, by refusing to acknowledge the second pro-
position.. This after-thought of his Lordship’s was in
direct opposition to our arrangement with Governor
Colvile, notwithstanding hisLordship, as we learn from
a glance at the proposition, itself, had expressed his
‘entire concurrence” in it. In short, this part of the
settlement was the basis of the whole arrangement; for
we had really acted from beginning to end on thefajth
of the “churchyard” being secured to us by the com-
promise. The result, as might be expected, involved the
head of the Government and the head of the Church in
a sharp’and vexatious controversy; which, after both
had exhausted their reasoning powers to no purpose,
had, like the third and fourth propositions, to be sent to
England for final decision. Nothing further was heard
on the subject till the 12th of June, 1852, when we
received the Committee’s final decree in our favour, that
neither church nor churchyard should be consecrated,
but left open to all.

360 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Our history of the Presbyterian question may now
draw to aclose. A stone church, erected for the Scotch
congregation on Frog Plain, was finished in 1853; and,
though small, it is considered the neatest and most com-

plete church in the colony. It is seated for 510 persons,

and is always well filled. Its cost was 1,050/. sterling.
The manse is also completed ; and it ‘is pleasing to add
that, when finished, there was not a shilling due on
either church or manse. Our indefatigable and gifted .
minister, the Rev. Mr. Black, in addition to his usual
clerical duties at both stations, has had to teach a French
and Latin class ever since Bishop Anderson prohibited
Presbyterian pupils from attending his schools. Mr.
Black’s stipend is 1501. a year; of which 1000. is paid
by the congregation, and 501 by the Hudson’s Bay
Company. The day-school at Frog Plain numbers
about 80 scholars, and the Sunday-school, for a year
preceding the date at which we aré writing, has *
averaged 110. They are both increasing.

It is to be hoped the noble example thus set by the
smallest community in the colony will not be without
its effect, and that other congregations will have the
ambition to become self-sustaining congregations, build
their own churches, and pay their own clergymen,
which they are all well able to do. Thus may be
obliterated the disgrace of having for the last thirty
yéars been supported by charity, at the expense of the
Church Missionary and other Societies ; and the means
thrown away upon congregations comfortable in their
circumstances, ‘be extended’ to the conversion of the
poor and degraded Indians, who are living and dying

{

a . %
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 361

without the means of instruction. The people of Red
River possess singular advantages and incitements to
self-support. Their salt, their soap, their sugar, their
leather, is supplied by the colony. Their lands, if not
free, are almost so; for they have no land-tax, no land-
lord, no rent-days, nor dues of any kind, either to
Church or State. Every shilling they earn is their
own. With the exception of iron, all their essentials
are within their grasp every day in the year, and as for
luxuries, they are easily procured by labour at their
very door. No farmers in the world, on a small scale,
no settlement or colony of agriculturists; can be pro-
nounced so happy, independent, and comfortable as
those in Red River. Their tea, their coffee, beef, pork,
and mutton, and their wheaten loaf, may be seen on the
table all the year round. These things being. incontest-
ably true, is it either just or necessary that men in
such circumstances—importers, merchants, freighters,
artizans, and the husbandman, enjoying plenty—should
be upheld by the hand of charity?

362 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

CHAPTER XXHI.

Contents.—The decades—Epidemic of 1846—State of public
feeling—Deaths—-The 6th Royals—The effect—The pensioners
~The Company’s policy—A military Governor—Government
inquiry and result—Character of Major Caldwell—Isbister’s *
controversy—Earl of Elgin’s views—Real grievance of the half-
breeds—The fur-trade question—Mob meeting—Celebrated
trial of Sayer—The Court in jeopardy—Reasons and opinions—
Hints for consideration—Judge Thom and the laws—Sacred-
ness of the oath.

Rerurnexe back the few years that we anticipated, in
order to complete the history of the Free Church, we
have now arrived at a period which reminds us that our
calamities are numbered in decades. We have already
described, as they occurred, the massacre of 1816, the
flood’ of 1826, and the failure of the crop and loss of
supplies’ in 1836; our fourth decade, now to be treated
of, is the epidemic of this year, 1846. During this pest,
for we can give it no milder name, the colony was over-
whelmed with terror. The winter had been uncom-
monly mild. In January the influenza raged, and in
May the measles broke out ; but neither of these visita-
tions proyed very fatal. At length, in June, the bloody

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 363

flux began its ravages among the Indians of the White
Horse plains, and soon spread with fearful rapidity and
fatal effect among the whites. -In “Rama was there
a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great
mourning.” In Red River that voice was heard this
~ year: like the great cry in Egypt, “ for there was not
a house where there was"yot one dead!”

In no country, either of Europe or America, in
modern times—not under the severest visitation of
cholera—has there been so great a mortality as in Red
River on the present occasion. Nota smiling face ima
summer’s day. Hardly anything to be seen but the
dead on their way to their last home; nothing to be heard
but the tolling of bells, and nothing talked of but the
sick, the dying, and the dead. In other more populous
places such things might be more common and less
horrifying, but in a country hitherto so healthy, and a
population so scant, it was a new and awful sight.
From the 18th of June to the 2nd of August, the
deaths averaged seven a day, or 321 in all; being one
out of every sixteen of our population. Of these one-
sixth were Indians, two-thirds half-breeds, and’ the
remainder whites. On one occasion thirteen burials
were proceeding at once. Many houses were closed
altogether; not one of the family, old or young, being -
left in them. °

In September this year, before the settlement had
recovered from this sad affliction, the boon of royal
protection was granted us from England, as if to solave
and cheer us upin the day of our troubles. This ‘was
the arrival of several companies of the 6th Royal

364 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Resin of Foot, for the protection and defence of the
colony, amounting'to 500 strong, including artillery and
sappers, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Crofton,
who was appointed. Governor of the colony. For this
addition to our population, our thanks were due, per-
haps, to the unmeaning fuss and gasconade of the
Americans about the Oregon question; for we are not
aware of any inducement but the protection of the
frontiers that could have moved our. Government to
send out troops to this isolated quarter. Whatever
their real object, ‘the soldiers proved of great benefit to
us. From the moment they arrived, the high tone of
lawless defiance and internal disaffection raised by our
own people against the laws and the authorities of the
place, were reduced to silence. All those disaffected to
the existing order of things, and to the principles of
subordination, immediately sneaked across the boundary
line to the land of freedom, and became pro tempore
subjects of the United States. “We have heard say that
a bad Catholic seldom makes a good Protestant; and if
we may paraphrase this bit of proverbial wisdom, we
think it unlikely that a bad subject north of the line will
become a good subject south. However, to let that
, pass, the good we enjoyed from the presence of the
military was but of short duration, for in 1848 they
were recalled, and their recall was the signal for the
recommencement of our troubles.

The officers of the 6th were, to a man, highly
respectable and exemplary in their conduct. ‘They
improved our society, gave a new impulse to everything
in Red River, and threw a market open for our produce.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 365

During their short stay, the circulation of money was
increased by no less a sum than 15,000l. sterling; no
wonder then that they left the colony deeply regretted.
We may here remark, that an available force, say of
one hundred men, backed by the local police, would
amply suffice to maintain peace and order in Red River
for many years yet to come. Indeed, the general
opinion here is, that if the people had confidence in the
-authorities, we should require no military at all; but
this can never be the case so long as the courts and
council are the haunts of favourites and sinecurists,
to the exclusion of others, in whose administration of
the laws, and conduct of public business, the public
could have full confidence. At present, either a protec-
tive force, or a thorough change in the administration of
justice, are imperiously demanded; and the Hudson’s
Bay Company would be well advised to look to it.

On the departure of the 6th, in the same autumn,
-artived a motley squad of some seventy pensioners, and
the year following as many more, to take the place of
the Royals. The troops were commanded by a Major
Caldwell, who was also dignified with the title of
Governor of Red River. If the people on the arrival
of the 6th were ready to chant a Te Deum, they were
no less ready, on seeing the conduct of the pensioners,
to “hang their harps on the willows” and sing a Requiem.
The soldiers and their Governor, indeed, were well
matched, and about equally fitted for the duties they
had to perform—performed, by the way, at an annual
expense of some 3,000I. sterling. In the pensioners we
recognised a second edition of the de Meurons; and the

366 | THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

good old- Major was so destitute of business habits,
and of the art to govern, that after a few sittings the
council and magistrates refused.to act with him; he was

-therefore, superseded, merely that the wheels of Govern- .

ment might keep moving. As for the pensioners, all
_ the authorities, civil and military, in the colony, could
_ not Keep them within the bounds of order. The half-
breeds were meekness and loyalty itself, in, comparison
with them. Governor Colvile, in his charge to the
jury on one occasion, observed, “ We have-more trouble
with the pensioners than all the. rest of the settlement

put together.” - . \4

Nea

We must not omit, however, that Major Caldwell

was appointed by the Queen’s Government i in terms
which ‘should _ have left him in no doubt about his

‘duties. The following is a despatch from’ B. Hawes,

Esq., addresied to this gentleman when appointed —

- Governor of Assiniboine :—

Douning Street; 10th Fly, 1848,"

Sir,—I am directed by Earl.Grey to acquaint you, that so soon
as circumstances will admit, after your arrival at Assiniboine, Her
Majesty's Government will expect to receive from you’a full and
complete account of the condition of ‘affairs at the’ Red River
Settlement, and particularly of the mixed and Indian population
living there: charges of. maladministration and harsh conduct
towards the natives having been .preferred against the Hudson's

Bay Company, which it is of the utmost importance should be *
" either established or disproved. Her Majesty's Government expect .

from you, as an officer holding the Queen’s commission, a candid
and detailed report of the state in which you find the settlement
you have been selected to preside over.

* I would particularly direct your attention to the: allegations
which have been made, of sn insufficient, and partial administra-

‘

_ TTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 367

tion of justice; of the embarrassments occasioned by the want of
a circulating medium, except promissory notes payable in London ;
the insufficient supply of goods for ordinary consumption by the
Company; and the hardships said to follow from an interference
-which is reported to be exercised in preventing half-breed inhabi-
tants from dealing in furs with each otber,‘on the ground that |
the’ Privileges of the native Indians of the country,do not extend
to them. These, however, are only mentioned as instances, and
your own judgment is relied on for inquiry into other points.
7 I have,-&c., €s
(Sigped) B. Hawes.

Now let us sée what steps" ‘Major Caldwell, as
Governor of Assiniboine and armed with the Queen’s
commission, took to inform the Government at home of
the condition of affairs in this quarter. Five months
after his arrival in the colony, he sent round to a few
select individuals, all of whom, in general terms, were
favourable to the Company, a few simple, not to say
childish queries, which they were desired to answer
categorically ; there were two questions for the Indians,
and two for the whites; and the writer can speak
positively to the fact, that no statement which deviated
in any degree from the tenor of a simple answer to these
queries was admitted, although in strict accordance
with Her Majesty’s commission. Moreover, if any
person below what the major considered a gentleman—
~ especially if unfavourable to the Company—presumed
to mention a grievance to him, it mattered not of what
, sort, his reply was ready; “ Sir, I ask you no questions.”
Such was the Major’s mode of conducting the “full and
complete” investigation required by Her ,Majesty’s

Government!

368 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Turning to the reality of things, however, all happened
well; because the allegations of “ harsh‘ conduct and
maladministration” preferred against the Hudson’s Bay
Company by Mr.“Isbister and his party, were in general
totally unfounded ‘and “disproved,” and therefore,
neither’ Major Caldwell’s inquiries, or the inspiration
of his genius, were required. So far, good; but the
case might have been otherwise; and if it had, what
information could the Government have got, or what
redress could the people have expected, from a man of
Major Caldwell’s judgment and capacity? -Yet in all
fairness, although the Major had never studied the art
of governing a people, we are willing to give him full
credit for his good intentions; believing, as we do, that
there was no intention on his part wilfully to betray the
confidence reposed in him by the Government: on the
contrary, the questionable course he. pursued may be
attributed to an error in judgment; for, in other respects,
the Major is an exemplary and pious man.

With reference therefore to the complaints set forth
by Mr. Isbister as the organ of a disaffected party, it is
scarcely possible to entertain a clearer and correcter
view of the subject than is expressed by the Governor-
.General of Canada in his despatch to Earl Grey, stated
in Mr. Isbister’s correspondence (page 9.) As his ,
- Lordship’s opinion fairly and clearly embodies all the
facts of the case, we shall here take the liberty of —
transcribing the passage. “It is, indeed,” says the Earl
of Elgin, “ possible that the progress of Indians towards
civilization, may not correspond with the expectations of
some. of those who are-interested in their welfare. But

ani

TTS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT . STATE. 369

disappointments of this nature are experienced, I fear, in
other quarters, as well as in the ,terfitories _ of the
‘Hudson’s Bay Company ;- and“ “persons“to whom the
trading privileges of the Company are obnoxious, may
be tempted to ascribe to their rule the existence of evils
which it is altogether beyond their power to remedy.
' There is too much reason to fear, that if the trade were
thrown open, and the Indians left to the mercy of the
adventurers who might chance to engage in it, their
condition would be greatly deteriorated.”

This, then, is precisely the state of things in Red
River, in Rupert’s Land: throw the trade open to all,
and not only would the Indians be ruined, but the
country also: thé introduction of free trade would be
the introduction of opposition, strife, and bloodshed. We
have seen enough of this in by-gone days; and with a
revival of such scenes, neither coloured nor white men
of character could live in the country.*

While thus disposing of the popular claims, we must
not forget that the half-breeds have grievances of which
they may have cause to complain. ° We shall, in fact,
devote some pages to illustrate this point; especially
the Company’s prohibition against bartering, buying, or

* We cannot dismiss this part of our subject without acknow-
‘ledging our feeble tribute of praise, due to Mr. Isbister for the
able and zealous efforts he has made in behalf of the natives of
this quarter; at the same time that we regret he should have
been betrayed into so great a sacrifice of time and talent, by the
unfounded representations of his countrymen. They are justly
rewarded for their folly by vexation and disappointments, while
he, by his praiseworthy efforts in the cause of humanity, has

gained for himself'a name that will live in days yet to come.
~ ni

370 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

trafficking in furs with the pure Indian, both being
natives of the soil. ~~We know something of the fur
trade, and must confess we cannot see the policy of
this interdict, or\ how the “prohibited traffic can be
supposed to operate against the Company; on the
contrary, we think it would prove rather favourable to
them. On the other hand, it may easily’ be seen, that
such a prohibition is a grievous restraint on the half. -
breed. Living, as he does, constantly among the
Indians, and furs being the only circulating medium
they have, their use in traffic and exchange must
necessarily be beneficial to both.

To illustrate this by an example on either side.
First, it is a well-established fact, that the Company’s
rate for furs is fixed and regulated every year; they
have but-one-price. Suppose, then, that an Indian and

__--~t half-breed agree to hunt together; when the hunt is

over, the Indian’ is naked, ill-provided, and unable to
go t6 the fort with his furs; in that case, he offers them
for sale to his associate, and if he cannot buy them, he

. mist tut the skins up on the spot to clothe himself and
° family. But the half-breed buys them, carries them to

vthe fort, and sells them to the Gompany, who are clearly
"so much gainers by- the traitsaction; for if the half-
»breed had not bought the furs, they might have been cut
up and destroyed. What difference, we might ask,
could it make to the Company, whether the halfbreed,
or the Indian, or a Turk brought the furs, providing
they got them, and got them at. the fixed price? The
Indian could not be imposed upon, for he knew the
Company’s price as well as the half-breed, nor was

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 371

the half-breed likely to give more for them than he was
sure to get from the Company. The transaction is
therefore a fair and equitable one; and this is all the
half-breed knows or cares about the question of the fur
trade: give him this privilege, and he is satisfied.

The other side of the question may be illustrated
thus:—A half-breed, in his rambles through the wilder-
ness, stumbles on an Indian in great. distress, either for
want of food, or the inclemency of the weather; he
applies to the half-breed for relief, offers him some furs,”
the only thing he possesses. The half-breed cannot
afford to give for nothing what he has got; and if he
accepts of what the Indian offers him, he breaks the
law, although by the act he saves the Indian’s life! Or
we might look at it in this light: suppose the half-breed
falls in with a sick or frost-bitten Indian, far from his
camp (which is not an uncommon case), he offers the
half-breed some furs, to convey him to his family, or he
dies. The half-breed, as already stated, cannot well
abandon his own business to attend upon the Indian for
nothing; and if he takes any furs, he is prosecuted for
an infringement of the Company’s regulations! We
might multiply instances without number, all tending fo
establish the fact, that the existing law not only places

the half-breeds in an awkward position, but operates
strongly against humanity, in so far as he Be
is concerned. Any benefit the Company cap~derive

from this law is purely imaginary, and yet, to support
it, we had well nigh completed the circle of folly
by upsetting Red River Colony, as shall presently
appear.

372 {HE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

_ In the spring of 1849, William Sayer, a French:
half-breed, who had been implicated and imprisoned, but
afterwards ‘liberated on bail, and Mc Gillis, Laronde,
and Goullé, three others of the same class, held to bail,
but.not imprisoned, were to stand their trial at the first
criminal court, for illicitly trafficking in furs with the
natives. This was the charge against them, namely,
" their accepting of furs from the Indians in exchange for
goods, which was construed ‘to be contrary to the rules
and regulations of the Company’s charter,’ wherein it is
stated, “That the Hudson’s Bay Company \shall have
the sole and exclusive trade and commerce of all the
territories within Rupert's Land.” - ;

_ Notwithstanding the hue.and cry that had been
raised against the Company’s misrule of late years, no
chalf-breed of other, we may here observe, had been
deprived of his liberty, or molested for meddling in the
. fur trade, with the exception, as already stated, of one
solitary instance, during the whole quarter of a century
in which the Company’s officer presided over the
affairs of the colony, It was reserved for Major
Caldwell, a Government man, to exhibit this new
feature of severity. :Had his Excellency, ‘however,
issued an official notice, giving the people timely
warning beforehand: that they were to be so dealt
with, the Major, as well as Recorder Thom, might have
escaped that odium cast upon them..in the present
instance, nor would they have been, taught this -severe
lesson of humility, nor the, publi¢ peace have been
disturbed as it was. .

The Avth of May was the day appointed for the

‘
- \

‘1

, ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 373

Criminal Court to sit and decide this celebrated case,
« Hudson’s Bay- ‘Company versus Sayer.” For some
days previous it was rumoured about, that a hostile
party would be prepared to watch the motions of the
* authorities during the trial. About 9 o’clock in the
morning of that day, the French Canadians, as-well as
half-breeds, began to move from all quarters, so that
the banks of the river, above and below the fort, were
literally crowded with armed men, moving to and fro
in wild agitation, having all the marks of a seditious
* meeting, or rather a revolutionary movement. As the
hostile demonstration proceedéd, boats and canoes were
laid hold of wherever found, for the purpose of con-
veying over the crowd, who no sooner reached the
west bank of the fiver, than they drew together about
Fort Garry and the court-house. This movement
took place about half-past 10 o’clock; and the whole
affair was watched by the writer from his own door,
At this moment a deputation of the ringleaders called
on me (for I must here speak in the first person, as I
am sometimes compelled to do) to announce the fact,
that they intended resisting the proceedings of the court.
“« My friends,” observed I to them, “you are acting
under false impressions. Beware of disturbing the peace!
The 6th are gone, but the 7th may come,” alluding to
the military ; “and those who may now sow the wind,
may live to reap the whirlwind for their pains.” With
this deputation, however, I walked up to the fort, as the
hour of, the court approached, The object of the mob
was fo resist the infliction: of any punishment, whether
of fine or imprisonment, on the offenders; and their

374 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

anger was provoked by a report that the Major was to
have his pensioners under arms on the day of the trial
to repel force by force. The pensioners themselves had
imprudently boasted what they could do, and what they
would do, if the half-breeds dared to show themselves.

At 11 o’clock, the authorities, not intimidated by the
storm which threatened them, entered the court, and
proceeded to business; but what business could be done
under the menace of an armed rabble? At this time
377 guns were counted; besides, here and there, groups
armed with other missiles of every description. Immi-
nent as the danger appeared to us—for an accidental
shot, or a fist raised in anger, might have set these in-
flammable elements in a blaze—many incidents occurred
to cause a reluctant smile. Some running one way,
some another; one party taking up a position here,
another there; whilst many present knew not for what
they had come, kept running amongst the crowd,
yelling and whooping like savages, calling out,. “ What
is it, what is it? .Who are you going to shoot? who
_ are you going to shoot?” This was the aspect of things
when the court was opened, and the Major, Judge
Thom, and magistrates, took their seats on the bench;
on this occasion, however, the Major dispensed with
his usual guard of honour, and walked to the court-
’ house like another private gentleman.

As soon as the court was opened, Sayer, the first on
the court calendar, was summoned to appear; but he,
- with the other offenders, was held in close custody by
an armed force of their countrymen out-doors, and we
were not so imprudent as to direct the application of

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 375

force, or even to insist on his bail bringing him forward.

Other business of minor importance was taken up to.

pass away the time, which occupied the court till
1 o’clock, when Sayer was again called for, but in vain:
at the same time, a Mr. Mc Laughlan, an Irishman, who
was not a settler, being on a visit to a relative, and who
considered he possessed some influence over the half-
breeds, attempted to interfere, but was suddenly
repulsed; and, in fine, peremptorily ordered off. The
court then held a consultation, and sent word to the
half-breeds, that they might appoint a leader, and send
in a deputation to assist Sayer during his trial, and
state in open court what they, had to urge in his defence.
This suggestion was ultimately adopted. A gentleman
named Sinclair, well known among the half-breeds, and
eleven others of his class, took up a position in the
court-room, with Sayer under their protection.

At the moment Sayer entered, about twenty of the
half-breeds, all armed, took up their station at the court-
house door, as sentinels, and held in their possession the
arms of the deputation. At the outer gate of the court-
yard, about fifty others were placed as a guard, and
couriers kept in constant motion going the rounds, and
conveying intelligence of the proceedings in court to
the main party outside, so that at a moment’s warning,
had anything gone wrong, a rush was to have been
made to rescue Sayer and the deputation from the fangs
of the law. While all this manceuvring occupied their
attention out-doors, the proceedings within the court
were not less interesting; nine out of the twelve
jurymen were challenged by Mr. Sinclair, but it was a

376 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

needless interruption to the trial. Sayer confessed the
fact that he did trade furs from an Indian. A verdict
of guilty was recorded against him, upon which Sayer
proved that a gentleman named Harriott, connected with
the fur trade, had given him permission to traffic, and
on this pretext he was discharged. The cases of Goullé,
McGillis, and Laronde, were not proceeded with, and
they-all left the-court together, greeted with loud huzzas.

As the offenders troubled themselves very little with
the subtleties of the law, it was their own belief, and
that of their people, that they were honourably
acquitted, and that trading in furs was no ionger a
crime. Not a word was said whether the half-breeds
were, or were not to trade furs in future, and so
obscure were their perceptions of the real value of
the decision, that one of the jurymen, on reaching
the court door, gave three hearty cheers, and in a
stentorian voice bawled out, “Le‘commerce est libre!
Le commerce est libre! Vive la liberté!” a crié de jore
which was soon repeated by another. These men,
we ought to observe, were Canadians, but the half-
breeds soon followed their example; and in the midst of
yelling, whooping, and firing, kept shouting over and
over again, “ Le commerce est libre! Le commerce est
libre!” all the way from the court-house to the water’s
edge, and that in the midst of the. court officials,
Governor, Judge, and Magistrates. As soon as they
were boated across, they gave three cheers, followed by
three volleys in testimony of their victory, and from
that day, these deluded people have been incited and
worked upon by disaffected demagogues to entertain

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 377

the idea that the trade is free. When this is really
the case, wé much fear, with such elements of disaffec- *
tion, it will be the signal for every honest and peace-
loving man to leave Red River; and the more so, as
the Americans are on the eve of planting their starry
banner at our door.

The trial we have just described suggests for our

~~~ consideration- several -leading- questions of importance ;
and first—Why this perpetual hostility against the
authorities on the part of the French inhabitants ?

In answering this query, we must repeat what we
have already stated more than once, namely, that the
French Canadians and half-breeds form the majority of
the population; and, to a man, speak nothing but a
jargon of French and Indian. In all fairmess they ought
to have been represented in the Legislative. Council,
and have had the laws expounded to them in their own
language in the courts of justice. The facts, however,
are as follows :— ,

1. There are twelve legislative councillors, exclusive ~

of the Governor, who is president; of these, nine are \

Protestants, and three Catholics; that is, three to one in
favour of the former.
2. Mixed juries have never had the benefit of a

3. Thee ws have always been administered in the
English language, as indeed ought to be the case in an
English colony; but they have never been professionally
interpreted in the French language, which is a real
grievance.

378 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT :

4, The laws have all been framed for the benefit of
the commercial and agricultural classes; but not one for
the half-breeds or hunters. :

5. Their being legally disqualified by Mr. Thom’s
interpretation of the charter, from trafficking if furs
with the Indians, is the greatest of all their grievances;
as furs are the only circulating medium the country
affords, beyond the limits of the colony.

_ ~Secondly._We_may_here inquire for what reason
Judge Thom became so obnoxious to-all our subjects of
French extraction? To answer this candidly, we
believe that Judge Thom’s unpopularity has grown up,
not from any dereliction of duty, or defect in his official
character as judge, but simply because he was the
professional organ of the court. As the interpreter of
the laws, and the Company’s legal adviser, he was

> looked upon by an uninstructed people as the cause of
all their grievances; and this unfavourable opinion was
grounded on the impression they had formed of him on
his first arrival in the settlement, which was stated in a
previous chapter. In short, any other judge without a
knowledge of the French language must prove as
objectionable here as Mr. Thom has been. To remedy
these evils, either reduce the councillors to an equal
number on both sides, or grant the people of Red River
a constitution similar to that of Vancouver's Island.
Take care also that the judge of the colony be equally
independent in his official capacity of the populace and
the Company. Above all, a knowledge of the French

’ tongue is indispensable,
Thirdly. Did the court pursue the wisest policy in

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 379

"proceeding to business in Sayer’s case? We think not.

So long as the court authorities were menaced by the
hostile rabble, their wisest proceeding had been to shut
up the court and retire without proceeding to business
at all. :

Fourthly. It may be worth inquiring, Of what use
are the pensioners, as a protective force, in Red River?.

AS they are, ‘squatted down as ‘settlers; and scattered

about, they neither are, nor ever will be, of any manner
of use. Any efficient force, either here or elsewhere,
must be ,under strict military discipline. With these
suggestive .temarks before us, relative to Sayer’s case
and Judge Thom, we may be permitted to pass a
commeit ‘on the laws generally.

Under the letters patent of Charles the Second, the
Governor and Council of Rupert’s Land, in addition, of
course, to executive functions and legislative authority,
exercise also judicial power. But as the union of. these
incompatible duties must have been sanctioned through
necessity rather than enjoined from choice by the
framers of the charter, other tribunals have lorig been
established in the respective districts of the settlement,
with the view of more speedily and conveniently
adjusting civil causes of inferior importance.

According to the terms of the same document, the
laws of England are to be the rule of decision. But
in the absence of professional aid, every tribunal
__ pocomes, in a greater or less degree, a court of con-
~seience or equity; and the more numerous the bench
ea ticularly if the equal units have been educated in
different countries, and under different systems) the

380 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

more extensively must this be the case. In such a?
state of things, there remains no room ‘for .a jury; and
as those who are thus arbiters both of law and of fact
cannot be forced to unanimity, the results are little
likely to give satisfaction. At the same time, it must
not be omitted that the decisions have been satisfactory
where the grounds upon which they were formed have
been clearly expressed. To these inherent evils must
be added the difficulties incident to the primitive
condition of our little community: that everybody
knows everybody ; that people of all classes are closely
connected by blood or marriage; and that any story,
good or evil, with all its additions and deductions,
reaches every ear. .

It was for these and other like reasons, therefore,
that the Hudson’s Bay Company introduced into the
settlement in 1839, as already noticed, Mr. Thom as
Recorder of Rupert’s Land, who, as senior member of
the Governor’s Council, was virtually to preside in the
general court. In order to secure the great object in
view, namely, the separate consideration of law and
fact, a municipal regulation was immediately passed to .
the effect, that every criminal issue, and every such
civil issue as could come before the general court,
should be tried by a jury. ~

The reader must not suppose, however, that we were
now enabled to reduce into actual practice:the laws of
England. For instance, in civil cases, thanks to the
“ plentiful lack” of practising attorneys, we have no
written pleadings, while execution may be stayed by

the Company’s notes, which, though practically better

¢
3

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 381

than Her Majesty’s’stamped gold, yet neither are, nor
- can bedeclared to be,a legal tender. Incriminal cases, _
again, with - the exception of a few floggings, and the’
terror of one execution already mentioned, we have no
resource but imprisonment; lo tread-mills, no ‘hulks,
-no pillory, no penitentiary, no white sheets, no- Botany,
Bay. Fortunately, our only available punishment is.
generally speaking quite sufficient. The mere confine-_
_ ment is far.more severely felt in a state of nature than in
civilized life, and as the daily ration of a pound of

. pemmican, and water at discretion, is adhered to in all

cases, it isrendered more irksome. . Weare neither rich
enough nor philanthropié enough to feed our gaol-birds
with-'dainty fare, and the mere support of life’ must
afford.to a denison of the wilderness but poor compen-
sation for such misfortunes as loss of liberty, privation
of ‘gossip, and prohibition of beer ‘arid tobacco.

Nor are dur juries more: punctiliously modeled —
after the pattern of the old country than our laws.
Without regard to any rules of selection, we desire
nothing more than the presence of twelve householders,
as little interested as possible in the victory or defeat of
either of the parties. So powerful is the obligation of
an oath over the unhackneyed consciences of the mass
of the population—for, on all administrative points, we
are contented with an unsworn declaration—that wilful
perverseness, in a jury of Red River, is hardly to
be imagined for a moment. On the trial of Sayer, |
- notwithstanding the alarm excited by the popular
feeling against the Company and the court, the jury
unhesitatingly returned a verdict in conformity with the _

382 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

laws. A still more remarkable fact may be ‘mentioned,
as showing that scrupulous regard of our common
people for an oath which forms the grand justification
of our apparently loose mode of selecting jurymen. In
addition to the proof of the defendant’s own voluntary
confession—a confession not sufficiently circumstantial
to have convicted him by itself—the only evidence was
that of the defendant’s son, who, under the stern injunc-
tion of one parent, told the whole truth, without any
attempt at delay or equivocation, against the other.

In what court of England or Scotland could the
moral beauty of this scene have been surpassed?
However, to give an instance of more decisive character
and wider application. ‘Our local enactments against :
the selling of beer to Indians, besides imposing a public
fine on the seller, condemn him to make restitution for
every article-of barter thus received, at first price.

"Under all the temptations of these enactments, the
, original buyer of the article is admitted as a Witness ;
this being the only means of preventing an -entire
failure of justice. Perjury, in such cases, the writer
' has never known, and if the Indian has hesitated, the
reluctance obviously arose from the feeling, that speak
the truth he must, if he speak at all, What an example
does our untutored savage thus show to those who call
themselves civilized, in most parts of the world!

The intelligent reader can hardly require to be told,
that the position of our Recorder was, from the beginning,
rather an invidious one. As the only professional man

in a country where printing was unknown, he was
re from nearly all the checks which might be

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 383

expected elsewhere to influence a lawyer on the bench. _
So: far as any knowledge of law at all existed in the
settlement, it was derived from the systems of Scotland
or of Canada, which differed essentially from our
chartered rule of right; and even if some few of us
could be said to have made a study of the system we
were bound to administer, it proved of little advantage
to us when the Recorder announced his principle,
(doubtless a correct one) that our “ Laws of. England”
were not those of the present.day, but those of the date
‘of the Letters Patent, namely, the “Laws of England”
of the 2nd May, 1670, Nor was our legal associate
much less independent of control with regard to our
local enactments, whether such enactments professed to
provide for the indigenous peculiarities of this secluded
colony, or to modify and modernize our imported code.
It was the Recorder that penned them; it was the
Recorder. that argued them through the council in a
masterly manner; it was the Recorder that interpreted
them, so as to make their inevitable generalities fit
particular cases. In these respects, he may ‘be said to ”
have always had his own way—less would not satisfy
him; and this often raised up difficulties between himself
and his colleagues. People said he possessed the gift of
twisting and untwisting his interpretations, so as always
to fit his own cause.
' Accordingly, with his command of language, and his
fertility in argument, Mr. Thom was supposed by the
many to be able to mould the law to his own wish. To
meet a difficulty, which he appeared to foresee from the
very beginning of his residence among us, he resolved,

~ $84 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

- (at the hazard, as he seemed to be aware, of being
tiresome) to expound the law of each case. so fully as
to forestal himself, as he expressed it, against any other
exposition of the same on his part. He strove, in short,
to make the public a present of the ‘argumentums.ad
hominem against himself. But the more diligently he
showed that he could split hairs, the more readily did
the many believe that, he would split them, whether
‘they needed splitting or not. On another point, also,
Mr. Thom has been. less circumspect and less successful
than most of his colleagues in uniting public sentiment _
in his favour. . He has’ had far less to do with the
people, generally. speaking, than any of ,the other
officials ; nor has he ever wished to interfere with our
more purely ministerial duties ; and yet it was generally
thought he-had too anuch in his power: It was in vain
he guarded —by publicly stating the’ extent of his
‘intervention, in open court—when circumstances had
connected him, perhaps, with the preliminaries of any
measure. So it was on thebench. As might have been
expected, his charge was almost uniformly echoed by
~ the verdict: and ‘yet this uniformity of success, which
/ would elsewhere be reckoned a proof of the truth” and

.reasonableness of a judge’s views, tended ‘here ‘to
inspire the ‘multitude with a notion, that Mr. Thom
could turn black into white, and white into black. ~~

Again, the Recorder’s influence in our little legisla-
ture was sure to be regarded as disproportionably great

‘Any measure ‘that he proposed was pretty sure to’

_be carried—not that he ever attempted beforehand to
make a party, for everyone opposed him in turn; but

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 385.

that, by dint of talking, he always brought over some
Majority or other fo his side. Nor was Mr. Thom so
careful as -he ought to have been under such circum-
stances, to blend the suaviter in modo with the fortiter
in re, though his demeanour, to do him justice, savoured ;
rather of a confidence in his own views, than-of any
disregard of the feelings of others. Some of his
measures, too, were by no means acceptable to a certain
section of the people. We allude more particularly
to those enactments which subjected our traffic with the
United States to the differential duties of such Imperial
statutes as regulated the foreign commerce of colonies.
Although. that law affected the settlers of Frenclr origin
far more extensively than their English brethren, Mr. |

Thom introduced a measure to imposé a duty of ten per. ~

cent. on all American artidles, with some trifling excep-
tions ; while the English importer paid only four! The
measure, however, fell to the ground; but the odium
it created. lives to. this day; though, in point of fact,
the exemptions in’ favour of the actual adventurers
’ were so large and liberal as to render the trade free as.
‘the wind to all but the wealthiest individuals that
were engaged in the business. The import duty from
‘England and the United States are now both ‘the same;
namely, four per cent.
“In this state of public feeling, the » single prosecution -
of an interloper in the fur trade caused, as we have
already related, a considerable degree of popular excite-’
ment, on the part of the French settlers. F rom words
- they flew to arms, chiefly, as they alleg: -d, in consequence
of-believing, whether right or wrong, that Major Cald-—
. - s

’ 388 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:
7 .

well had threatened to call of is pensioners against
them. In this struggle, legality, in a certain ‘degree,
carried the day; but in such i way, that public opinion
was left as dissatisfied on thd point as before, and the
law as vague as before. Hence, i has happened, through
a dread of the renewal of such a egnflict between reason ©
and force, that we have, since then, been deprived of
the advantages of Mr. Thom’s ability, public spirit,
and independence. Such a result, clearly traceable to

” this gentleman’s perverse use of his talents, by constantly
exercising them to support his own opinions in oppo-
sition to all others, is deeply to be regretted.

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 387

CHAPTER XXIV.

~ Conrents.—Climate and productions—W oodlands and pasturage
—Rearing of cattle—Horses—Brick-makers and other artisans
—Prices—-Domestic servants—Barter and long credit—The
trock system — Imports — Exports— How the money comes—
. Police—Magistrates—Minnesota and the half-breeds—Fortune’s
own child—Pembina and the Americans—St. Peter’s again—
Minnesota government —Vancouver’s Island and the consti-
tution of Red River—Datiger of neglect—Appendix.
As our task is now drawing to a close, we shall throw
together in this chapter such observations or facts as
could not conveniently be inserted elsewhere. The
physical characteristics of the country have been briefly,
described, and as to the natural productions, there is but
_ little either‘:to amuse or interest the general reader.
Red River is more of a plain than a wooded country,
bleak and almost shelterless. The burning sun of
summer is oppressive; the winter no less severe in the
opposite degree.. The heat redches 98° in the shade,
and the cold descends 45° below zero. Summer and
winter are of equal duration: no jealousy between the
heat and cold, for each claims six months. Yet, though ~
subject to thése extremes, the climate is healthy, crops

388 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

abundant, and everything in nature attains its full
growth.

The only. timber worth mentioning, either in Red
River or the surrounding country, is the oak, pine, and
swhite wood, used in the building of houses: oak for the
frame, pine for the floors, and the white wood, in the
States called bass wood, for the furniture. Poplar is
generally used for fencing; and when peeled, keeps
straight, is free of cracks, and lasts Jong. Clumps of this
wood, like islands in-the ocean, stud the plains ; maple
and elms adorn the banks of the rivers, stunted birch the
higher ground, and swamp ash may be seen here and
there sparsely scattered over the country. In the low
ground, there is a sprinkling of cédar, which, although
not large, makes excellent shingles; but being some-
what far off, the few who do indulge in the luxury of
shingled houses, generally use the oak. As the great
summer heats, however, warp the oak shingle, and
make.it curl up like spoons, the best roofs made of
this material seldom last more than twelve or fifteen
years. The generality of the people use straw thatch

roofs, which are light, water tight, and durable.

‘Wild fruits grow to perfection; but the variety is
small. Cherries, strawberries, gooseberries, bearberries,
hawthorn-berries, poires or pearberry, and wild plums,
‘are among the most abundant. These, and the like,
. form the Indian’s food during- summer.

' The natural grasses abound everywhere, and are
very nittritious; but again the variety is not great.
Red and white clover have been tried repeatedly, but
without success; and the failure is attributed.to the-long

w
a)

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 389

- and severe winters. Grasses generally appear the first
spring after sowing, and then,—we allude especially to
the red,—disappear ever after. A question then arises,
will red clover resist a winter of six months long, and a
cold of 45° below zera? Timothy thrives well, although
but little of it is used; as the natural grass is esteemed
fully as good, and is produced without .labour.- Red
River is peculiarly adapted for the rearing of flocks and
herds; and although cows do not generally give so
much milk as we have seen at home, and in Canada,
or the United States, yet the milk is rich. ~A’ goed
cow well fed in the open plains, will yield her pound of
butter daily. The writer himself having tried the
experiment, obtained from one of his best cows 243
pounds in twenty-five days.

Nothing has yet been-done here in the way of stall-
feeding for fattening cattle for the slaughter. In this
year, say 1850, an “ Agricultural Association” has been
formed by a number of intelligent individuals, one of
whose objects is to encourage stall-feeding, and other
branches in which the farmer is deeply interested; so

far, however, cattle have roamed about at large in the |

open plains till late in the fall, and are then killed; and .
yet, many of them would be considered fat in any
_ country. A cow seven years old, belonging to the
_ writer, was killed some time ago, and yielded 105
pounds of clean rendered .tallow. This, however, was
above the average.

It is generally believed that the best mode of raising
cattle, in order to have a fine stock, is to allow the

calves to suck, and this appears but natural; yet the -

‘

390 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

practice is condemned—so far, at least, as our own
experience is of any value. To be sure they are
sleek and very fine for the first year; but the calves
that suck generally breed sooner than those, that are
hand-fed, and the sooner heifers cklf,-the more stinted
will be their growth ever after: for they will lose
more the second and third years by having their
first calves when two years old than they would gain
the first by sucking. It is the better plan to raise
calves, not altogether on skim-milk, but half warm and
half skim mixed together; and although they may be
somewhat stinted at times in the quantity, no harm is »
done. It will no doubt retard their growth a shade the
first year; but as this very circumstance secures a
longer period before they have their first calf, the more
likely they are to become large cows. This is found to
be the case in Red River: Ragged and pinched boys
often become stout and robust men.

For want of care, our cattle are deteriorating fast
in size, although costly bulls, and of the finest breed,
both from England and the United States, have been
imported into the colony. The local government has
taken no steps to restrain a multitude of dwarfy bulls
from running at large in all seasons, to the great
injury of the breed; and as one evil generally begets
another, the large oxen keep at Bay the small bulls, and
not only destroy the cows, ‘but injure themselves into
the bargain. The best farmer and dealer in cattle in the
colony, excepting one, has no more than forty-two head ;
yet pasturage costs nothing, and every man that is
a farmer has four times the quantity of land he requires

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 391

for every useful purpose. Formerly, our best oxen

. weighed 1,000 pounds; but the largest killed during
the last five years only weighed 852 pounds; the
general ran of the best weighs 700 pounds. The best
oxen in the colony can be purchased for 62. sterling
a head, and the finest cows for 41. Pork is not raised
- ‘to any extent, there being no demand for the article;
the heaviest pig hitherto killed in the colony weighed
604 pounds. Sheep are declining fast in number from
the ravages of the dogs and wolves; neither do they
thrive well even under the best circumstances. During
the last year, hogs have diminished one-third in
number; and the sheep were fewer by 1,000 than in
.the year before.

Pork and mutton sell at 24d. per pound; beef, 2d. ;
butter, 7d.; cheése, 5d.; and eggs, 6d. per dozen.
Average weight of the best wheat, 66 Ibs.; though
instances have occurred as‘high as 70 Ibs. per bushel.
The price of wheat is 3s. 6d., and barley, 2s. per bushel.
Peas generally sell for the same price as wheat; oats,
1s. 6d.; and potatoes, although generally a sure crop,
fluctuate more than any other article, being sometimes
as high as 2s., and at other times as low as 4d. per
bushel.

No article of produce is exported, consequently no
provisions are salted but what people require for their
ownuse. Each farmer raises grain and cattle enough for
his own establishment, and no more; but the generality
of them, with the exception of the Scotch, fall more
frequently below, than rise above this standard. As
a proof of this, provisions of every description are

”

392 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

generally 50 per cent. dearer in the spring than the fall
of the year.

Horses, the only staple article in the colony, always
meet with a ready market and good price. While
buffalo-hunting continues, they must always be in
request. For improving the breed, old Fire-away,
noticed already, was invaluable. Indeed, the only good
breed of horses we have ever had in the colony, were
the cross breed of that noble animal. They were
excellent draught horses, good for the saddle, and
highly prized for docility and enduring fatigue. Full-
grown animals of this class sell’ for 25. sterling;
country nags half the price. The value of first-rate
buffalo-hunters is, of course, regulated by caprice. As
to bottom, shape, and power, no horse, either before or
after, has stood so high in public estimation as Fire-
away. Another full-blooded stallion, however, came out
from England, a year or two ago, at a cost of 3001.,

‘superior in size and bone to his predecessor, but inferior

in model and action. From the scarcity of money
among the people, two guineas for the chance of‘a foal
was regarded high; yet, all things considered, it was
certainly moderate. In New South Wales, horses of
their class cost four times the amount. We have had
some fine horses from the States also, but they were
inferior to those we had from England; nor did they
stand the climate so well. The great expense attending
the importation and keep of such animals is a strong
proof of the Company’s anxiety to improve the breed,
and advance the colony.

Nearly all the horses here, with the exceptions we

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 393

have noticed, are obtained from the Indians of the
plains: their appearance, generally speaking, is not
_prepossessing; but they are better than they look.
They are hardy, easily kept up, and sure-footed. Few
horses could. be better adapted for the cart and the
saddle, and none so good for the climate. To improve
the breed, the colonial law imposes a fine of 20s. on all
stallions rising two years and upwards found at large:
had the same restraint been imposed on bulls, the
settlement would have derived far greater benefit
from it.

One of the most profitable speculations a man of
means could turn his attention to in the colony, and
that with the sniallest risk of capital, would be the
breeding of horses. In a country like this, where
pasture is got without cost, a few parks enclosed is all
that would be required in the way of keep, and that
would be a mere trifle; and yet, notwithstanding the
great and increasing demand for horses, no person as
yet has turned his attention to it.

Brick-making has hitherto been entirely neglected
here: afew attempts at different times have been made,
sufficient only to test the quality of the clay, which in
many places has been found good; but with the
exception of a few brick chimneys, we have nothing
as yet constructed of that useful article. The samples
hitherto produced, though not of the best quality, cost
21. per thousand; while in New South Wales, where
labour in general is much higher than in Red River,
they are purchased for 12s. a thousand. This difference

arises from pe want of competition, and the ‘small
: 85

394 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

demand ; as all partial trials must be costly and imper-
fect. Sir George Simpson, some years ago, brought a ;
professed brickmaker from Russia, but he had soon to
leave for want of employment. Ere long, brick must
necessarily be adopted as a substitute for wood.

The bulk of the agricultural labour is performed by
the members of each family thus occupied, which is the
only way to succeed; but when hire becomes absolutely
necessary, the custom.is to engage servants by the day,
- the month, or the year. Men generally get 202 per
annum, and women 10s.- per month, - -nominal value, for
they are seldom paid more than a part of their wages
in money; the rest is given them in articles as they
require, at the long credit rate (as they are generally
taken up in advance), which exceeds the money price by
a third. Job-work is not much in practice: the people
are not up‘ to such undertakings. A daily labourer,
during hay and harvest season, gets 2s. 6d., and in the
dead season, ls. 6d. per day; the employer always
furnishing food, and a blanket to sleep in. Tradesmen
are paid from 3s. to 5s. per day. There are, however,
but few regular workmen among us. Under this head,
we might name four blacksmiths, three house-carpenters,
two millwrights, and one mason. The half- breed
natives of the place, and their value as servants, need
no farther observation, having been amply ¢ treated of
before.

Formerly, the petty traders were looked upon as a
public good; but the system has become highly detri-
mental to the colony in its late development. Scarcely
a shilling is to be seen afloat; and if it meets the eye, it

its RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 395

" no sooner reaches a shop door—and almost ever y door is
now a shop door—but it disappears, and is kept locked up
-to swell the amount devoted to a new importation. The
‘Servant may go without, or take truck: “ Take goods,
take goods,” is the universal ery. -Nor is it the
‘ agricultural servants alone that complain. Since the
Company made a present of its patronage by transfer-
ring the freight business into the hands of_the petty
traders, the voyageurs and trip-men, in place of being
paid in money as formerly, must now submit to the
truck system, or go without employment. This state
of things presses hard on the servant: -his wants are
many, the temptations are great,- Where goods and
good things are to’ be got on credit, he runs deeply in
debt, and can never be his own master. Indeed, he
cannot call the little property he possesses his own: it
may be seized the next hour to pay his debts. The
system chains him down to perpetual servitude and
dependence. This evil is so widely spread that it is no
longer a private but a public wrong, and demands a’
public remedy.

In order to show the excess to which the barter and
petty trading system have been carried on, we may
state, that in 1847, there were no less than 102 English ,
importers in the colony, and nearly as many more from
the United Statés, on a smaller scale, whose united
invoices amounted to 11 0001, sterling, exclusive of the
Company’s outfit, amounting to as much more. Nay, '
we might select ten individuals out of the petty traders, -
“whose t united book debts at this time amount to 3,7502,.° —
divided, of course, among hundreds of penniless

396 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

subjects, who have but little to support their families
with, and still less to pay. their ‘debts. With such -
work for the courts of justice, with such misery as
these facts imply, will any one say, that the system has
not become monstrous atid intolerable?

Having stated the amount of our imports, is it
necessary to remind the reader, that our exports are of
incomparably small amount? the result of the struggle
for an export trade having already been explained.
Apart from the fur trade, there is no commerce carried
on in the colony with the mother country, the United
States, of any other place in the wide world; unless ,
the few articles of garnished work and other trifles
that make their way to St. Peter’s can be dignified
with the name of commerce. As to manufactures, the
only articles produced in the colony, as already noticed,
"are a few coarse woollens.for home use; and yet, in our.
present infant state, we enjoy a good share of the
essentials, and many of the luxuries of life.

But, it may be asked, if we export nothing, where
does this 11,0002. that we send to England and the
States for our goods, our fineries, and our luxuries, come
from? It has already been stated, that there is but
5,000/. in circulation in the colony, and’ also that there
are but few men of means among us; our answer may
be anticipated, therefore, that the money comes from:
the Company, who afford a market to the settlers, one
way or other, to that amount. The Church of England
throws about 2,000/. annually into the settlement, and
the Red River Academy or Hudson’s Bay Company’s,
‘School, patronized by Sir George Simpson, and many

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. _397

gentlemen connected with the fur trade, nearly another
1,0001.; from these establishments, the colony derives
considerable benefit; even in a pecuniary point of view.
The Company’s transactions, as regards its connection
with the settlers, are carried out on the most equitable
_and liberal principles.
' Our police force—for we -cannot take the pensioners,
as at present organized, into the account at all—are by far
too few, and so managed that it is impossible they. can
“answer any good purpose. They are paid too -much
for all that they really do, and by far too little to induce
them to devote their time and energies to such duties as
are required of policemen. The only effective force
that has ever been embodied in the colony was the

olunteer, corps established in 1835, _and which con- .

tinued till 1845, a period of ten years. So’ peaceable
and orderly was the settlement during that period, that

- a hue and cry was raised against keepmg up and

paying a force that had nothing to do; but their
. having nothing to do was the best sign of their efficiency.
The council, however, in an. evil hour, gave’way; and

they were disbanded, not without disturbing the peace _

of the colony. The subsequent arrival ofthe 6th Royals
from England, and. how they were succeeded by Major
"_Caldwell’s pensioners, has been recorded in its place. ©

The only class of public men who have laboured
assiduously —we might -say, successfully—and from
“whose local knowledge of men and things the colony
has derived any absolute benefit, are the district
magistrates, In short, all that has beén done in the
way of maintaining peace and good order is due to

398 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

them;. for they, in their magisterial capacity, have
possessed the confidence of the people. Some of these,
however, have been subject to much annoyance and
loss of time; and fortune not having placed them in

- such independent circumstances as to be beyond the

necessity of attending to other duties, they are dropping

we regret to add, which has been accelerated~by the
reinstatement of Major Caldwell, in whose administra-
tive abilities very few could feel any confidence.
Other men, less influential, and still less fortunate in

circumstances and in talent, are now filling the places

of these old servants of the. public, who. retire with the
proud: consciousness that they have done their duty, and
left behind them ‘an example worthy of imitation.

The greatest hurt to the peace of the colony is

occasioned by the~frequent visits of our citizens to
St. Peter’s of late years. They fancy that the magic-

fast. off the list to attend- to their own affairs: a result, _

like progress of the Minnesota territory, rising. with ;

_ mushroom rapidity at their door, compared to Red’

River; must be altogether owing to the constitution of its
government ; it never strikes them, that the Americéns
are at work while they are idling. Nevertheless, with
all their hue, and ery about the marvellous difference

; between’ the two places, when any of them go thither

to reside, they can never eat, drink, or sleep comfort-

ably, till they get back again, to their Red River homes.

Having now travelled through all the tortuous wind-

‘ings of the task we had laid down for ourselves, and

brought our sketch of Red River history almost to a
close, we have a word or two more to say, not of the

ITS ‘RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 399

colony, but of an individual belonging to it: one whose
fertile genius and “manifold dexterity have enabled him
to overstep all competition, and to take his stand at the
head of our colonists as a man of enterprise and general
usefulness, The gentleman we allude to is at once a
merchant, .2 farmer, ‘a horse jockey, and a dealer in
cattle. In barter, traffic, and bargain-making, he stands
‘unrivalled. He has tried everything, and everything
he has tried fortune has turned to’his advantage. Of .
him we may say, that he Was, never above stooping
down and picking up a pin, ‘observing \as he put it in
his sleeve, that great things were made‘up of small,
as pence make shillings, and shillings poinds; and
although he. sometimes sold his commodities ‘at exor-
bitantly high prices, and occasionally prided himself in
over-reaching his neighbour, yet he was liber and
charitable withal—the poor man’s friend, and the rich
man’s companion. Governors have consulted him, and
many have benefited by his good offices. He is the
man above all others who has raised himself by his
“Th “ot merit, until, from nothing, he has become > the... -
“3 wealthiest person in-the state. ° 2
. Who, then, the reader will naturally ask, is | this
extraordinary man? Ireland is his country—the “land
of noble spirits and warm hearts. But-with his lineage
or pedigree, beyond the twelfth century, when Dermud
the, Bold carried_off Queen Orork of Meath, we shall .
not trouble ourselves or our readers.” The names of
his- anvestors have been handed down to us ina long
list of Irish nobfés, called Dermud, Diarmuid, Diarmot,

Dermot, and lastly Mac Dermot. -

“oO

400 - THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

Andrew Mc Dermot was born in 1791 , and came out
to Hudson’s Bay as a clerk in the fur-trade in 1812.
Young, active, and ambitious, it was his pleasure,
amongst other things, to learn the Indian language; and
paradoxical as it may appear, he could speak it better
than the savages themselves. In this necessary qualifi-
cation for an Indian trader, he soon outstripped all his
colleagues; he was, at the same time, an excellent
walker, ran like a deer, and could endure cold with any
Esquimaux dog. With these qualifications he became a
\, good trader; and being esteemed by his associates, high

a low, he was before long particularly noticed by the

magnates of the fur trade. With Mr. Halkett, one of
the’ committee, and Mr. Governor Mc Kenzie, he was a
gr eat ‘favourite; and more recently, he was regarded by
Sir George Simpson as a man of superior abilities.
Notwithstanding these advantages, he disliked the slow
and tardy steps that led to preferment”in the fur trade.
His genius, li that of many of his countrymen,
became impatient under restraint; he longed to become.
his own master, although the prospect befére him
on going free, was to ordinary minds dark and ominous.
His release from tha, ‘service forms the beginning of his
career in Red River, where, we ‘may say, he arrived
almost friendless and periniless—a sum of 75d. being all
he had to begin the world ‘upon.

The whole of this little chpital Mac did: not hesitate
to spend in an outfit of horses, carts, and servants, to
try his fortune in the plains. Accompanying the
hunters, he made his first essay in 1824. Kind, open,
and obliging, and as full of wild adventure as themselves,

ITS’ RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. . 401

he soon became a favourite among the Nimrods of the
plains. Taking advantage of the field thus opening
before him, he kept a keen and watchful eye to his own
interest: never was known, to “sell his hen on a rainy
day.” While the freemen were frolicking away their
time in a losing business, he was doubling his money
every trip; and, by a system of barter and traffic
carried on in the plains, he next monopolized the chief
part of their hunts, which threw the provision market
into his own hands, and the money of course into his
own pocket. Thus, the plain business suiting his genius
-, and turn of mind, he followed it for a period of ten
years, till his run of success and good fortune placed
him at its head, and in the possession of ample means
~ to extend his future operations.

Two years after he had commienced these plain
speculations, the writer entered into co-partnership with
him ; but a joint-stock concern did not long suit Mac; .
he got as impatient in that as in the service. In all his
arithmetical calculations, he never admired the rule of
division. Jt was a common saying of his, “ Where one
man can do the work there is no need for two;” the
field must be his own. |

Having secured his interest among the hunters, .
he left the rude and savage life of the plains and
settled in the colony.; Here, beitig favoured by the
ruling authorities, he became an extensive importer
from England and the States. By his address and
accommodating qualities, aided a little by no lack of
Irish wit, hé soon drew public attention to his business.
He was everybody’s man, and formed the centre of

402 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

attraction; for he could lend a horse, change an ox,

or barter a dog, as circumstances required. If a
stranger, of whatever rank, chanced ‘to visit the place,

although he kept neither inn nor hotel, yet accommo-

dations for both man and beast were always ready. A

house to Jet, a room to hire, and every want supplied.

Ifa contract was contemplated, or an enterprise proposed,

or if money was wanted, who but Mc Dermot was the
‘man to do the good turn? Such being his character

and services, ten years had not elapsed before he over-

stepped all his competitors in the settlement, as he had

done in the plains. Uniting the resources of the plains

with his 4ffairs in the settlement, he stands at the head

of both, in point of popularity and enterprise. It is a

common saying here, “ that the bush he passes by. must

be bare and barren: indeed, if he does not pluck a

leaf off it.” His discriminating knowledge of men is .
proverbial’ nor is“ it~confined to-men alone; as 2
Judge of horses, he stands unrivalled.

-As Me Dermét’s means increased, his aspiring genits
‘expanded He became a'géneral dealer, engrossed the
freighting ‘business, acted 48"the Company’s rightshand
man in all contracts and pisblic undertakings, speculated
in houses and lands, built mills, encouraged-manufactures,
and lately commenced forming a little colony, of which
he himself is the head. .

On the arrival of the 6th Royals, the officers and n men
‘complained that their pay was of no use to them ina
country where they could get nothing.to buy. “ Go to
Mc Dermot,” said Colonel Crofton, “and then you will :
get everything you want.” The soldiers did so, and

ae
ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 403

soon found out that what they had been told was true;
for their pay was no sooner in their hands than it was
transferred to Mc Dermat’s pocket. With the exception
of second-handed coffins,-there was nothing they could
ask for but they got. In a few months he had received
in gold 1,4001. ; treble the amount gained by all the rest
of the colony during the same period. ~
We have remarked in a previous chapter that on the
failure of the export trade agitation, the half-breeds
turned their thoughts towards the Americans and the
American Government. That circumstance, at least,
“was the pretext at the time; but we shall here state”
what we believe to have been the real cause. _——
The Pembina squatters are chiefly half-breeds from
Red/ River; many of them without house, home, or
allegiance to any Government-wanderers at large,
Jevtish of the wilderness. They have crossed the

ritish'line, as the gold-hunters of California cross the
/ mountains, in search of gain: -Ever since the road to
/ §t, Peter’s has been opened, it has been rung in their .
ears what large sums of money the Americans pay for
Indian lands; and that half-breeds, being the offspring
of Indians, come in for a good share of the loaves and
fishes on all such occasions. Their cupidity being. thus
excited, is the real cause of the half-breeds having’
settled down on the American side; their movements
‘being accelerated of late by the report that the Pembina
lands were to be purchased forthwith by the American
Government, and that all British subjects were in
future to be debarred from hunting south of the line.
_As to any definite grievance under the government

st g

404 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

of the Hudson’s Bay Company, or their calling for
American protection, it is all pure fiction; let the
Americans but withhold from them the anticipated boon
they have in view—that is, a share in the sale of the

Pembina lands—and they will soon return again to their
cherished haunts in the north. Even should they attain
their end, if there is any truth in their creed, they will
still return; for it is not in the nature of either Indians
or half-breeds to. change their country, even if for a
better, still less for a worse. We have ample proof of
this feeling in those who have gone to reside at St.
Peter’s; for scarcely one has remained who could get
back.” No earthly advantage will induce them to farm;
they care nothing for lands, save for the chase.

This whim of the. half-breeds, again, was turned by
interested individuals to their own selfish purposes.
-A torrent’of abuse was poured out against the Hudson’s
Bay Company, for “injustice and oppression,” by
a perfect stranger, and echoed far and wide by that
scum along the frontiers who, like the cat in the
fabl® make the best of both neighbours, and pay
them back with ingratitude. The latter is not much
to be wondered at; but that a,gentleman holding
a commission under his Government, and possessing its
confidence, should have made his report the vehicle of
circulating false and unfounded statements is, at least,
surprising, and certainly cannot tend to increase the
good understanding which exists between the two
countries: we allude to the report of Captain Pope, of
the Topographical Engineers, published in the United
_ States, in 1850. :

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE. 405

The Captain states (page 28 of the report), “ that the
* population of Pembina within the territory of the
United States amounts to 1,000 French half-breeds.”
_And in speaking of Pembina (page 29), “that the
“United States will consent, by the merest neglect, to
have withdrawn from their authority and influence a
population of 7,000 hardy and industrious people, who
are only awaiting the slightest encouragement to séttle,
is no less deplorable than true, and is onlyato be
-actounted for by the belief that this melancholy state of
affairs has never been properly represented.” Truly, -
the American Government is deeply indebted to Captain
Pope for the important information; and we should be
as much indebted to his penetration and judgment, did
he condescend to inform us where the 7,000, or even
one half of the 1,000 French half-breeds, came from, _
and where they dre “ awaiting the slightest -encourage-
_ tment to settle!” Does Captain Pope expect all the
colony of Red River to fly across the line like a flock of
geese? Even then, 2,000 would still. be wanting to.
make up his number. Where are they “ awaiting” the
eall? We can assure this sanguine Captain, and that
with the best feelings, that if Pembina is to be peopled,
it must be from the south, not the north. _ Instead of
1,000 French half-breeds “ settled within the American
territory at Pembina,” we never yet could discover 500,
nor is the number likely to be increased from ‘this
quarter. :
Again, at page 32, it is remarked, that “ the settlers
of Pembina are not permitted to trade or hunt upon the,
English possessions, and that the troops of the English -

406, THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT:

forts will, for such offences, or any other, invade the
territory of the United States, and carry off American
citizens to Fort Garry for trial and © punishment!”~
Where, we may ask, did Captain Pope get this informa-
_ tion? Can he refer to one instance of such a thing as
he alleges? We might point out a thousand such
absurdities. In short, the report, as far as regards
Red River and Pembina, is totally at variance with
facts, and calculated to mislead those most interested in
obtaining correct information.

But Captain Pope is not the only one the world is
indebted to for information on Pembina: our neighbours
500 miles off seem to know more of the mysteries of
that place than we, who live on the spot. At the very
time Captain Pope was penning his graphic report, we
were reading in the Minnesota Register of 11th August,
1849, that the-“ Town of Pembina contained 636
inhabitants, and that the women manufactured most of
the.woollen and linen fabrics necessary to clothe their
families.” Now, what amount of truth is there in these
statements again? In all Pembina, town and country,
there were not 250 squatters—for really we cannot dignify
them with the name of “inhabitants ;” nor was there,
to our knowledge, a single head of sheep, nor a single
pound of either wool or flax, nay, nor a spinning-wheel,
rock, or distaff, in the whole community.

Again, we read, that the “Town of Pembina” sent
500 carts to St. Peter’s annually. How different is this
_ from the fact: with the exception of Mr. Kittson, the
American fur-trader, and Mr. Belcourt, the French
priest, we are not aware of their ever having sent

ITS RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT staTE. 407

half-a-dozen carts of their own to St. Peter’s; although
the good people of the States are made to believe that
the few carts from Red River—and they are not a
fourth of the number stated—are all from the Pembina
squatters. The half-breeds, however, are not answerable
for these misstatements; they are mere hunters, and
pretend to nothing else. It is only the Americans who
are gifted with the double sight, that will have them a
commercial and agricultural people.

The Pembina half-breeds have now been hovering
about the boundary line for the last seven years, and to
this day have not raised as much grain in one year, en
masse, as would feed a single family; nor have they
manufactured, up to the hour we are writing, 1 cwt. of
flour. When the American officials reach the “Town
of Pembina,” if their Minnesota stores run shert, they
must send down to us for new supplies, vot Sees
and beast, or go to bed supperless, The agricultural
resources of Pembina have not yet been developed: the
soil is good, but low for farming purposes, and the
country subject to inundation. Its hunting resources
are drawing fast to a close; for the wild animals are fast
retiring from it, and will soon be out of reach.

The territorial Government of Vancouver’s Island,
and also that of Minnesota, are by some envied for
their advantages, but on considering these systems,
with all their happy appliances of civilization, and the
systematical operation of their laws, we are strongly
impressed with the opinion, that the plain and simple
Government under which we live; were it but revised,
is the most desirable for Red River colony. By its

408 THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. |

revision, we mean, were the local Governor invested
' with fuller powers to act, that we might: not be
compelled to refer every question, however. trifling, to
England, and were the Legislative Council placed
on a more healthy footing. It is true that in both
‘the. Governments. alluded -to, the members of the
Legislative Assembly are. elective; and in both, also,
the people, along with the - local Governor, have
secured to them the power of forming such 2 constitu-
tion as may be best suited to their political views: these
privileges, indeed, Red River has not; but ‘then the
political views of one people may not be the political
views of another. Our population are as different in +.
their pursuits and passions from the subjects of the——~
Governments alluded to, as our laws and institutions ;
and each. may be best, under its respective circum-
stances. Nevertheless, we are compelled in honesty to
declare our settled conviction, that if the framework
of the constitution is not altered, and based on more
equitable and liberal principles, it will soon cease to
inspire confidence. Should this be the case, and the
people once feel that they are compelled to think and
to act for themselves, a representative government will
be the result.

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410 APPENDIX.

A List oF THE GyyERNoRs | oF Rep River POLS EON TI
Yara 1812 ro THe YEAR 1855

Capt. Miles McDonell was Governor from August, 1812, to June,
1815—2 years and 10 months. -

Mr. Alexander McDonell was Governor from August, 1815, to
June, 1822—6 years and 10 months; but the colony was broken ~
up in June, 1815, and the settlers did not return till the summer
of 1817. . .

Capt. A. Bulger was 3 Governor from J une, 1822, to June, 1823—
1 year.

Mr. Robert Pelly was Governor from J une, 1823, to June, 1825—
2 years.

Mr. Donald MeKenzie was Governor from June, 1825, to June,
1833—8 years. .

Mr. Alexander Christie was Governor from J une, 1833, to June, _

5 1839—6 years. . .

Mr. Duncan Finlayson was Governor from June, 1839, to June,

1844—5 years. —

. Alexander Christie was Governor from June, 1844, to Sune,
-* _ ae years... ---~-“--- ---- ---

Colonel Crofton, 6th Regiment, was Governor from June, 1846,
to June, 1847—1 year, .

Major Griffiths, 6th Regiment, was Governor from June, 1847, to,
June, 1848—I1 year. .

Major Caldwell was Governor from June, 1848, to June, 1855—\,
7 years.

ony
po

APPENDIX. 4

PEMBIN A TREATY,

The Honourable Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, and suite,
arrived at Pembina in September, 1851, and concluded a treaty
with the Indians, the provisions of which are as follow :—

“ Article 1. A tract of land, in the valley of the Red River ot
the north, is hereby purchased, containing from 4,000,000 to
5,000,000 acres: being 30 miles on cach side of the river, and
extending up to Buffalo River on the east side, and the south
branéh of the Goose River ‘on the,west side. The international
line is the northern, boundary of the purchase.

“ Article 2. For this, the United States agrees to pay the Indians
30,000 dollars in hand, ‘to enable them to make provision for

- their half-breed children, and to arrange their affairs.’

“ Article 3. Provides for their being paid annually, for twenty
years, the sum of 10,000 dollars in cash, except 2,000 dollars of it,
which-may be reserved by the President, and applied, undgr his
direction, to farming, educational, and other beneficial purposes.

“ Article 4. Provides for their union with the other bands ot

~"~Chippewas,and holding all lands and annuities in common; when-

ever the United States shall secure from these bands a reciprocal
-arrangement.,

a Article 5. Provides that rules and regulations to protect the

rights of persons and property among these Indians, may be pre-
scribed and enforced among them by the United States Govern-
ment."—-Eztract from the Min. Pio., of 30th Oct., 1851.

The terms of this treaty have proved a sad disappointment ‘to
the poor half-breeds, after their long struggle to obtain a settle-_
ment, in the belief that they themselves would have been

412 APPENDIX. °

recognized by the American Government as the rightful owner,
of the disputed Jands of Pembina; on what grounds, however, we
have always been at a logs to discover. Secing, at length, that
nothing is.secured to them but what the Indians choose to give,
they are dropping back, as we anticipated, to their old haunts.

If we may judge fromthe mode of concluding the present com-
pact, the Americans are not very particular in forming their
treatics with the Indians. Pembina was disputed ground. ‘The
Assiniboines, Crees of the plains, and the Saultcaux of the woods,
all Iaid claim to it as their land; but the title of the last has
always been the most disputed : yet, being found on the spot, they
were, without hesitation or inquiry, recognised as the lords para-
mount of the soil, and with them the treaty was. concluded ; nor
were the principal Chippewaschiefs themselves present—they were
distrustful and lukewarm—not willing ,to sell their lands, and
therefore declined to attend. Regardless of this want of formality,
however, the business went on, and the treaty was finally ratified
by those of secondary rank who did attend. ,

APPENDIX. oO +13

D.
HIGH WATER IN RED RIVER, 1852.

To our chapter of accidents we have to add a renewal of the

- scenes of 1826, a flood of water ,aaving recently deluged the
colony again. .

On the 7th of May the. water had risen cight fect above the
high water mark of ordinary years, overflowed the banks of the
“river, and began to spread devastation and ruin in the settlement :
boats and canoes in great request for the saving of lives and

ie property. All hurry, bustle, and confusion. Some had to take
7 shelter in the garrets, some on stages, some here, some theve-in
little groups, on spots higher than the rest, anxiously waiting a
boat, a canoe, or some friéndly hand ‘to save them from a watery
grave. From 150 yards wide, the usual breadth of the river, it
| had spread to three miles on each side, and rose for Several days at
‘| the rate of nearly an inch per hour. .
‘2 “ On the 12th, half the colony was under water, and had made a
_ \elean sweep of all fencing and loose property-on both sides of the
river, for a distance of 22 miles in length. In all this extent, so
low and flat is the country throughout, that not a sirigle house
was excepted—all was submerged—not an inhabitant but had fled.
ces The erying of children, lowing of cattle, squeaking of pigs, and
howling of dogs, completed the strange and melancholy scene.

On the 22nd, the water was at its height, and the coincidence is
remarkable, inasmuch as on the same day of the month the water
was at its height during the former flood twenty-six years ago ;
but it was then 18 inches higher than it has been this year ; still,
the people being fewer, the damage at that time was less. During

414 APPENDIX.

eight days before the change, dwelling-houses and barns were
floating in all directions, like sloops under sail, with dogs, cats, and
poultry in them. Outhouscs, carts, carioles, boxes, cupboards,
tables, chairs, feather beds, and every varicty of houschold furni-
ture drifting along, added to the universal wreck.

In the former flood one man w4@drowned, and it was so in this.
one man only lost his life. Some few horses, horned cattle, and
pigs, in the hurry and bustle, were likewise drowned. The
destruction in other respects was general: the very mice, the
snakes, and the squirrels, could no longer find a hiding place
cither above or below ground—all their efforts to save life were
vain—the destructive clement forced them to surrender—they
struggled and died. Even the frogs were overcome in their
favourite clement, and might have been seen sitting and secking
refuge on every log, plank, and stick that floated along ; the very
birds and insects deserted the place, so complete was the desolation.
Nothing was to be heard but the howling of dogs in the distance,
nor seen, as far as the eye could reach—but water, water, water!
No cock crowing in the mornings; got a plough at work ; not a
bushel of seed in the ground ; men, half bewildered, pensive, and
mute, looked at each other and mourned their loss. The Sabbath
almost undistinguished from the week days; the church-going
bell mute; the churches empty ; the sound of the millstones no
longer heard. Where cattle used to feed, boats sailed and fish
swam, ‘Twenty-six years’ labour of man and beast hastened to be
engulfed in Lake Winnipeg. Many, many houses gone; many
deprived of their all. The loss to the sufferers, who can estimate ?
but especially that which must be felt by the Canadians and
half-breeds ?. The people, like a retreating army, lost much in
the course of flight. Little firewood, less shelter, few tcnts,
the weather cold, and ice on the water, deprived them of all
comfort. .

On the breaking up of the »river, the chanvel got choked up
with ice, which caused the water to rise seven fect in an hour or
two. This occurred at night, after the people_had gone to bed;
and it came on them so suddenly, that before they were aware of

cae]

AFTENDIX. 4.8

it, themselves and their beds were afloat. cattle and she.
drowned, and two men, who had gone te rest on ay
hay, found themselves in the morning drifting with the current.
some three miles from where they had lain down the nigh: berore

Others, again. in the absence of canoes or other assistance, bad to
resort to the house-tops; some took to the water, and hunz to the
branches of the trees and bushes. till davhzht bragh: them
relief; and what may seem somewhat remarkable, in the mdst ot
this scene of distress, some pigs were swept away, one of which was

known to swim for two days and two nights together without
relief, and yet was caught alive. The cold, as well as the weten
pressed so hard, that one man was reduced to the necess.ty of
cutting up his plough into firewood, to save his children trem
freezing. Articles of furniture shared a like fate

No sooner had the water overspread its usual bounds, be
Governor Colvile, with his usual afiability and kindness, manved
his light canoe, and kept going from place to place. cheering the

‘drooping spirits of the people, and encouraging them to bear with

Christian fortitude the difficulties and trials Providence had
doomed them to suffer.

At its height, the water had spread out on each side of the mver
six miles, for a distance of fourteen miles in length Nat 2 house
was excepted. Loaded boats might have been seen suing over
the plains far beyond the habitations of the people The spectacle
was a8 novel us it was melancholy. Three thousend tise hundred
souls ubandoned their all, and took to the open plams: the loss of
property; hesides that of the crop this year, and the risk of bat a
small one nest, is already estimated at 25.00@/. sterling. The
people were huddled together in sipsy groups on every herght or
hillock that presented itself. Canadians and half-breeds oan the
Assiniboine, pensioners and squatters at the little mountain, and
the Scotch with their cattle at the’ strong hill, twelve nules trom
the settlement. ‘The Right Rev. the Bishop of Rupert's Land was
frequent in his visits of consolation. Thé Rev. John Black
accompanied his flock wllthe time.

The falling of the water allowed many of the people to approach

’

416 APPENDIX, .

their cheerless homes about the 12th of June; and even at that
late period a favourable season may give them barley and potatoes.
For the cause of this and similar high waters in Red River, we
refer our readers to the reasons annexed to the flood of 1826,
noticed in chapter ninth.

Lonaon Printed by svtiu, Luper & Cu, 19, Uld Lailey

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